News from Saintfield Show

It is with great sadness the Committee announce the death of their Chairman Jim Kirk.

After serving for a number of years on the Committee Jim was elected Head of Cattle Section in 1981 following in the footsteps of his late father in law Mr RA Morrow. When Dr Jimmy McKelvey, the then President and Chairman retired from the Chair in 1995 Jim was the obvious choice for Chairman. He held that position until his death in November. This position of Chairman was never an easy job but Jim tackled it with great enthusiasm and skill.

His background was on the family farm between Saintfield and Crossgar where he learned his skills from his father JP Kirk. JP as he was fondly known, was also a great stalwart of Saintfield Show since its inception. Jim's depth of knowledge in farming and the farming community; allied to his friendly and relaxed manner gave him the skills to become an excellent Chairman.

The amount of time and energy Jim gave to Saintfield Show will never be known – it was immense. He had that great ability to keep the Committee working together and in harmony even when the going was tough.

We will all miss him greatly.

Our sincere sympathy goes to his wife Liz, his son James and daughter Catherine and the family circle.

Kirsten McDonald presents The Ledsome Lad Cup to Saintfield Show Chairman Jim Kirk. Also included are from left Vera George, Head of Cups and Trophies, Alistair McDonald, Hilary Gibson, Head of Ridden Hunter, Dr. James McKelvey, Show President, Ngaire McDonald and Wilbert George, Head of Working Hunter.

SAINTFIELD  Show Limited have been presented with a new Cup for next year's Show by a young rider whose horse tragically died whilst competing at this year's event in June.

Kirsten McDonald from Crumlin and “Ledsome Lad” had success in various classes before tragedy struck when “Leddy” fell and died as a result during the Working Hunter class and Kirsten was taken to hospital with a broken collar bone.

At a reception at the home of Vera and Wilbert George in Saintfield, Kirsten presented The Ledsome Lad Cup in remembrance of “Leddy” to Show Committee Chairman Jim Kirk.

Speaking during the trophy handover Kirsten said “On few occasions a horse such as 'Ledsome Lad' comes along. It was a great privilege to have owned and ridden him if only for a few short years. It is only fitting that he be remembered by this trophy for many years to come. I hope his memory inspires others. Once again I would like to thank all those who sent me support after Leddy's fatal accident at Saintfield Show earlier this year.”

Show Committee Chairman Jim Kirk said “On behalf of Saintfield Show Limited I would like to thank Kirsten and her family for their generosity and kindness in presenting this magnificent trophy in remembrance of 'Ledsome Lad'. It was a tragic accident following success in various classes throughout the day which left Kirsten nursing a broken collar bone and we are delighted to see that she has made a full recovery. For someone who has been involved in dairy farming all my life and knows how attached one can become to particular animals, I can appreciate the heartache when you lose an animal as special as 'Ledsome Lad'. I hope that in the years to come, while competing for this magnificent trophy, it will bring back happy memories for you and your family.”

The well known “Ledsome Lad” was a US bred 17.1hh gelding. His sire was “Torrential” and dam “Ca Va Tres Bien”. As a yearling he was brought to Ireland by Michael O'Brien. Early in his racing career he had a few wind operations which denied him his breathing to go further on the track. He changed hands to P2P.IE owner, trainer and commentator Richard Pugh. Richard's wife Jennifer successfully rode him on the point to point circuit with his best finish being a second. It was always felt that his wind denied him an elusive win. Richard and Jennifer encouraged his final owner Kirsten McDonald through her Jockey's Licence by letting her school “Ledsome Lad”. After being gifted the horse in 2007, Kirsten raced him for a final season. Out of racing he began to show just how versatile a horse he was by taking to his retraining with great style. He excelled in all his new and very popular Racehorse to Ridinghorse show classes never coming home without a ribbon. This culminated in him finally showing some a clean pair of heels by standing alongside household racing names in Dublin where in 2010 he took a very respectable 5^th.

“Ledsome Lad” could also be seen taking ribbons at Eventing Ireland and ridden classes throughout the County Shows with Champion Hunter being awarded to him on several occasions.

His tragic loss has not only been felt by Kirsten and her family but by many others through the organisation Racehorse to Ridinghorse Ireland.

Kirsten McDonald pictured with Ledsome Lad competing at Dublin Horse Show last year.

Thank you to Audrey Gregg for providing the photographs and article for the press. 

A very big thank you to all our competitors, exhibitors, traders, spectators, stewards, sponsors, judges, caterers, officials, supporters and everyone who lent a willing hand to make the 66th Annual Saintfield Show such a success.

We were delighted to see such strong competition and the weather was extremely kind to us all day.

We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

A child's  jacket was left in the show field - if you are missing yours please email secretary@saintfieldshow.co.uk. 

CES Quarry Products, Kilkeel were presented with the Secretary's Shield for Best Trade Stand at the 2011 Show. Show President Dr Jimmy McKelvey and Chairman Mr Jim Kirk chose their stand out of a great turnout of over 40 traders on Saturday. 

Pictured form left: Jamie Stevenson, Stephanie Cowdean, and Ronnie Stevenson, with Saintfield Show President Dr Jim McKelvey, Chairman Jim Kirk and Show Administrator Norman McBriar. 

Just 3 days to go...

The hard work is under way in the Show Fields - North Down Marquees are building the Poultry, Home Industries, Craft and Catering marquees, David McClurg is designing the Working Hunter course with Raymond Jess looking after the four Show Jumping courses and the Committee plus many willing volunteers are fencing showing rings, sheep pens and cattle rings, putting up signage and generally ensuring the Show Field is ready for this Saturday.  The Committee would like to thank everyone who helps during this very busy week and on Show Day, Saintfield Show is a team effort and would not be possible without the support of all volunteers. 

All competitors and exhibitors should receive numbers and passes within the next day or two. Please remember that entries for all Show Jumping classes, Carriage Driving and Dog classes are taken on the day.

For those who would like to come along for a great family day out admission prices are £3 per car, £5 per adult and children under 16 go free.

Please note that the Judges for both the Horse and Pony Working Hunter classes are Mrs Dorothy Guilford, Co. Wicklow and Mrs Margaret Miller, Co. Kildare and not as indicated in the Schedule.

Head of Section for Working Hunters, Wilbert George, is delighted to announce that Saintfield Show is to host qualifiers for the Irish Working Hunter Association All Ireland Working Hunter Championships to be held at Tullamore Show on August 14th 2011. Tullamore Show will host a final for both Novice and Open horses with a €1200 prize fund and special awards for IWHA members. 

Qualifying classes are Class 46 for Open Working Hunter Horses and Class 47 for Novice Working Hunter Horses. Horses placed 1st - 6th in each class will qualify. 

The Committee of Saintfield Show would like to thank Alan Dunlop of Balloo Vets, Killinchy, Robert Steele of Robert Steele & Associates, Hillsborough Road, Comber and Raymond Thompson and Andrew Fletcher of Jubilee Vet Centre, Newtownards for kindly agreeing to be available as Veterinary Surgeons on Show Day. 

The Committee of Saintfield Show were delighted to welcome many sponsors, both new and returning, to a reception held on Monday 23rd May courtesy of Robert and Diane Patterson of Rockmount Golf Club.

The Show is indebted to the kind and generous support offered by all sponsors and would like to acknowledge the following new sponsors for 2011; McCoubrey's Electrical Ballynahinch, F S Herron, Royal Court Hotel Portrush, Wyse Byse, Net Tex, Botanica, ConveyorTec, Lee's Kitchen Ballynahinch, Ballymullan Architects, Kinedale Donkey Stud and Janssen Animal Health.