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BALLYGRACE REBEL was crowned champ- ion 2-year-old in the colts and geldings class and overall grand reserve champion of combined classes of yearlings, 2- and 3-year-olds, colts, geldings and fillies at the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America/United States Equestrian Association's Future Event Horse Show.

This gray, 16-hand 2-year-old was bred and owned by Sue Rowden of Wild Hare Farm in Hartwood. This summer, Ballygrace Rebel, affectionately called Declan at home, was sent to Blackberry Ridge Farm and worked with handler Tony Phillips. While there, Declan was taken to Green Hill at Salem Park FEH in August, where he posted a score of 80 and further impressed Blackberry Ridge Farm's co-owner, Debbie Dobbs.

Declan's sire, one the best-known Registered Irish Draught stallions in the Irish Draught Society, is Snowford Bellman, owned by Phillips of Blackberry Ridge Farm. So when Dobbs saw Declan in training, she realized that he had inherited their stallion's presence and impressive gaits. Wanting to buy him, she finalized the sale at the show, where Declan proved once again to be stunning.

Dobbs plans to eventually show Declan in dressage and fox hunt him, since the Irish Draughts are known for "their versatility, talent and easygoing natures," Rowden said.

This weekend Declan will go to the East Coast championships in Lexington, then will be turned out for the winter. He'll be started under saddle at the end of next year, when he will have reached his full height.

Next spring, Rowden and her husband will continue breeding their 4-year-old mare, who has just won a place in the Irish Draught Stud Book.

Show Results

State 4-H Championship show, VHC:

Amanda Ramey, 19, on Just Dreamin': second, large hunter pleasure horse, senior rider; eighth, hunter sidesaddle; fifth, hunt seat equitation on the flat out of 45; red premium in senior hunter showmanship. The pair finished as the High Point Senior Hunter Pleasure Horse at the Northern District Show at Rose Mount Farm in May.

Bryan Ramey, 12, on A Mocha Moment: Champion, western pleasure small pony with two firsts; reserve champion, western pleasure classic; eighth, hunt seat equitation on the flat. The pair were High Point Junior Gymkana winners at the Northern District show, Rose Mount in May.