The Hollymead Farm Irish Draught Mares

The Irish Draught mare served many purposes on the farms in Ireland. They helped the farmers work their land, pulled the family cart to church on Sunday, and served as a foxhunting horse and a show jumper for all family members. The mares were usually bred every spring to provide a foal to sell for the much needed additional farm income. This breed was the original multi task horse. To learn more about the breed, visit The website of the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America at www.irishdraught.com . The "RID" found after the Irish Draught horse's name is added after the horse has passed inspection by a judging team of two inspectors from Ireland.

Texas Diamond Belle RID

Texas Diamond Belle RID is a grey, 16 hand Irish Draught mare by O'Leary's Irish Diamond RID out of Bonnie Belle Supreme RID. Belle is a traditional mare with over 9.75 inches of bone. She has a relaxed and steady nature that has contributed to her success as a riding and driving horse.

Belle is always ready to try anything new that we ask of her. She went fox hunting for the first time this winter and felt right at home with all the sights, sounds and excitement associated with a day in the hunt field.

This is a picture of Belle in her first dressage driving class with Karen Garrett. Belle had only been introduced to driving briefly as a 2 year old before Karen borrowed her as a 5 year old. She then received a 2 week "refresher" course with Tom O'Carroll, Karen's trainer and coach, before she was entered in this competition. We were so excited and happy when she won the class competing against more experienced horses.

Bunny and Belle are enjoying their canter work in this picture. Belle is the horse I can use for pony rides and as a guest's trail horse. She still gives me a thrill even when schooling the basics in dressage.

Ruarc Dublin Dan is Belle's 2006 gelding by Pride of Gloster RID, a stallion sired by Clover Hill. Danny is an attractive, athletic and substantial colt. He is owned by Bunny Steele of College Station, TX. Danny will soon be traveling to Texas and will be in training at Windy Knoll Farm with Fran Dearing.

This is a photo of Danny's sire, The Pride of Gloster RID. He is by the well known jumping sire, Clover Hill. Bunny and I recently drove down to Huntersville, NC to see Gloster and his owner, Lisa Parent. Lisa has been schooling Gloster in dressage. He is an elegant horse with lovely movement and sound limbs and feet. We think that Danny resembles his sire.

Arwen The Evenstar RID, a 2003 mare, is Belle's daughter by Foxglen Himself RID. Arwen is owned by Patty Prime and Shannon Forcier. This mare is a lovely example of the traditional Irish Draught that exhibits both quality and substance. We are thrilled to announce that Arwen will be coming to live with us in 2009.

Arwen's sire, Foxglen Himself RID, is owned by Susan Jensen. You can learn more about Foxglen Himself RID at Susan's website : http://www.bellwetheririshdraughts.com   Thank you to Liz Freeman for the use of this picture.

Arwen is being trained by Sarah Bright Phillips at Blackberry Ridge Farm. We are so pleased with her progress. 

Bonnie Belle Supreme RID   

Bonnie Belle Supreme RID, is shown here with 2 week old Holly. Bonnie was born in Ireland and imported as a 2 year old by Jim McGinty. She was one of the first few Irish Draught mares imported into North America. Bonnie is the reason I fell in love with the Irish Draught breed. I purchased Bonnie from Jim in 1997. She produced her first filly for me in 1999, Texas Diamond Belle. Bonnie had a total of 4 purebred Irish Draught colts, and 3 purebred Irish Draught fillies before she passed away in March of 2007.  This photo was taken by Liz Freeman who owned Bonnie for the last 6 years. Jim, Liz and I all feel our lives have been richer for knowing this exceptional mare. Please visit Liz Freeman's website http://www.flyingharp.com to see the Bonnie's family tree.