Titles by the Author

Unique Equestrian Publishing Achievement

Provincial Farmer - June 5th, 2005

Having just published his Fifth consecutive book on the Irish Sport horse, Navan author and journalist Nicholas O'Hare has certainly set a record in his field. His latest work- Pillars of Irish Horsebreeding - is in a way a summation of what has gone before since it profiles 100 Irish sport horse breeders around the country, whose efforts have also featured in his previous volumes.

Included among this chosen group are a number of Meath, Westmeath and Cavan breeders, who have made a significant contribution to the progress of the Irish sport horse in recent times.

Nicholas O' Hare has spent his lifetime in equestrian journalism. He has written a weekly column in the Irish Field for the last 35 years and also been publisher of Irish Showjumping Annual and Irish Draught Horse yearbook.

The four previous books have all outlined a specific aspect of the industry from a historic and factual viewpoint. His first equestrian work was on the legendary Irish Draught stallion King of Diamonds, which has had a profound influence on sport horse breeding over the last 25 years.

Next came his book on The Modem Irish Draught. In this he outlined the horses and the people that contributed most to the development of this unique type of horse in the last century. This was a difficult study and one that got a great deal of praise - the book is now in its third edition.

Following on from that effort Nicholas produced a much needed record of the development of the modem Connemara. This pony, revered around the world for its hardiness and its docile character, has evolved in the Irish scene for centuries. The book recorded this progress and went on to picture the present status of the breed. The Modem Connemara has also gone into extra printing.

His most difficult work prior to the one just published was The Irish Sport Horse. Only in recent times has the horse of the Irish countryside been given that name in order to bring it into line with national breeds across Europe, like the Dutch Warmblood) the Hannoverians of Germany and the Selle Francais. In that book he did a mighty job in putting modem Irish horse breeding in perspective.

All of this has now brought Nicholas to the Pillars of Irish Horsebreeding. In its 250 pages he has undertaken his most demanding task yet - that of picking out the 100 individuals from around Ireland, who in his memory have most influenced the development of the modem Irish sport horse.

Included are some well known national names like Noel C Duggan of Cork, Iris Kellett and Irish Dairy Board MD DrNoel Cawley.

In his introduction Nicholas admits to the group of 100 not being a "comprehensive one". The selection is the result of his own experience and the notes and diaries he has kept through many years. No doubt there will be people who feel they should be included in then list. And in this sense it was a brave effort for the author to take on the task of picking his 100. One thing is sure if you are on this list you deserve to be because Nicholas is no frivolous author.

Among those from the general Meath area who have made this august group are: Marily Power and Susan Lanigan O'Keeffe ofSuma Stud, Beaupark, for their breeding of pride ofShaunlara-a modem Irish Draught stallion.

Tim Carey of Castletowngeoghegan for standing Blue Cliff, Euphemism and Star Kingdom down the years.

Patricia Nicholson ofKells who has been a leading world breeder of international event horses, Sally Begg ofNavan for her breeding of the Irish Draught performance stallion Rakish Paddy, John Hughes ofDunboyne for his standing of stall ions like Cavalier Royale, which has had such an influence in recent times.

Norman Alien ofKnockrath Stud, K-ells for having stood the likes of Ideal Water, and Zero Watt - both stallions have made progeny that have been winners. Fintan Branigan ofDrogheda for his breeding of another performance Irish Draught stallion Crosstown Dancer. Tom Robinson ofSpringdale Stud, Dunshaughlin) who has been a leading light in Irish pony breeding down the years. He has also contributed greatly in terms of judging and in organizing the Irish Pony Society.

Pillars of Irish Horsebreeding is a great read for anyone interested in the sport horse or Irish pony scene.

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Nicholas O'Hare, 16 Tailteann Close, Windtown, Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland
Tel: +353 (0) 46 9059568