Aine Art,Killashee

Cheltenham is the Mecca for both Irish and English racegoers in the month of March. Trainers and owners of both sides of the pond pit their best horses against each other for big prize money and trophies.It takes a year of hard work and perseverance to ready a horse for Cheltenham. Thousands of Irish punters descend on Prestbury Park with dreams and hopes that their favourite horse will be in the Winners enclosure after the race.If not there is always another race. Every evening during race week you have the traditional Poker Tables where many a good man has lost his shirt, even if he hasnt lost it on the racecourse.This year Longford businessman Philip Reynolds hopes to lift the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a little over six weeks time, with his star chaser Presenting Persy. Percy won at Gowran last week and was immediately cut down to 11-4 for the Gold Cup in March.Certainly one to watch and might be worth a trip to Prestbury Park to cheer on.It could be Longfords year. Come on Percy.Aine...

As children we often called to the old Forge where Uncle James was the village blacksmith. We were delighted to be allowed to stand by the door watching proceedings.It was familiar to see the Horses waiting in the lane,placid bays and greys,broad shouldered chestnuts and magnificent whites.Some of them could be flighty and temperamental at times,but if anyone could be put them at ease it was Uncle James.Working in the forge was more than just a job to him,it was in its own way a calling,a family tradition that spanned the generations. The interior of the forge was dark and cluttered,the sunlight slanting through the open door on bright spring days so that it seemed as if the light and dark were ready to embrace. When we stood at the door,the workings of the forge seemed to have a kind of magic about them, the rhythm of the hammer on anvil filling the space,the sparks like shooting stars fanning to the dark corners.A bright fire burned in the old hearth and on very cold days with Uncles...

All roads lead to Strokestown next Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th of September for the annual Agricultural Show.Aine Art will be there with a selection of paintings and I am really looking forward to it.This years event will be held in the grounds of Strokestown Park House and will feature 23 All Ireland Finals.Sections include Cattle,Sheep,Horse and Pony,Farm and Garden, Fruit and Vegetables,Hay and Pasture,Turf,Cookery and Handcrafts.Something there for everyone. Ther will be a Best Dressed Lady competition aslo Best Dressed Gent,Glamorous Granny and Little Miss and Mister and of course a Bonny Baby.If you attend the Show and feel peckish there will be a food fair entitled Flavours from the Heart,there will be a large selection of both savory and sweet.I hope the weather will be kind and drop in to see me at the Aine Art Stand, I will be delighted to see you.

If it had not been the demand for heavy horses in the past,for farmwork and on the battle field it is almost certain that most of the heavy breeds would not exist today.Most developed countries have their own heavy large horses,principally bred to pull the plow and other labour saving farm implements, and although their role has been superseded by machines,there are still jobs where the horse cannot be bettered. In remote mountain areas for example, where trucks and tractors could never be transported,mules are the only means of access.In forestry, horses can haul heavy lumber where wheeled motor vehicles cannot go or would not be safe,such as a dangerous incline.Even in highly developed countries that prefere a slower pace of life still farm with horses.The worlds countless miles of waterways,many barges and canal boats are fitted with engines,but the old barge horse plodding along steadily along the towpath is a cleaner, quieter and much more leisurely form of transport. At th...

Its no secret that I love horses.I was raised on a Stud Farm in Co.Meath where my Dad was Stud Groom. As children we loved to hide in barns or lofts,build make believe houses out of bales of hay. We spent many hours running around fields after wayward ponies and when caught and mounted, bucked us off immediately but we didnt give up our mission.My Dad was in charge of the racehorses and that was a very serious business. We were not allowed in to the racing yard for safety reasons as racehorses are highly charged and unpredictable.Racehorse breeding has been and is a highly commercialized venture, some pure breeds can sell for a fortune.The horses with the greatest speed and stamina command the highest prices.Breeders carefully select the horses that win most consistently and are top of their class from which to breed future generations of potential record breakers.Race days are hugh events for owners and breeders often worth a great deal of money to both, and participating horses are ...