From the I.D.H.S (GB) 1997 Year Book
Diamond's Dublin ’96
In 1996, the ROMA STUD was delighted with the arrival of a fine looking liver chestnut colt foal by SHAUNA'S DIAMOND out of HOLLYWELL ROSE who is by SKIPPY. The foal was bred on performance lines and from six weeks of age we never doubted that he was of stallion potential. He was always a favourite of Robins and was kept on to be a future Roma Stud stallion. ROMA DIAMOND SKIP, as he was named, was cared for daily by Robin during his first year. At this time a mutual friend introduced us to Jane and Martin Manning from Hereford. They were looking for a potential Irish Draught stallion and asked us to view a colt that had come over from Ireland. As usual, they were led to believe that it only had to turn up at the inspections to pass. We viewed the two year old colt, for them but could not recommend that they buy it. However we would inform them if we saw or heard of anything good enough. It was around this time that our farm was reluctantly put up for sale which meant that we would have to Part with the majority of our Irish Draught stock, not knowing if we would be able to retain any land or buildings. The mutual friend told Jane and Martin that we had a very good colt of our own that they should view, which they did. Jane and Martin were very focussed on what they wanted to breed and what the market was looking for, they were the sort of people that should be encouraged in the Irish Draught Society. They were very taken with Diamond Skip and we all got on so well that we decided to sell him to them along with an Irish Draught broodmare, Kiltowra Glee (the dam of Roma Blue Wind), and her foal Roma Kitty Jay (by Timahoe Heather). It was a dreadful day when they left the yard because we felt that this was the end of Roma Stud.
Diamond was reared with great care at his new home The Upper House, Didley, Herefordshire. His fertility was proven on a small number of T.B. mares as a two year old. We had visited him during his rearing and Robin was delighted when Jane and Martin asked him to present Diamond for his inspection in 1995 which he duly passed. His first crop of foals born in 1995 were excellent having lovely heads, good limbs and calm temperaments. He was broken to ride proving both quiet and sensible and having a good loose jump, as you would expect from his breeding. He was then turned away the aim of being performance tested at the age of five or six. He developed a great attitude towards covering of mares, and of the artificial dummy used for the collection of semen for artificial insemination.
In the spring of 1996 Jane and Martin's stud vet. Liam Kearns, who is the son of Tom Kearns, owner of Dublin winner Kildalton Gold, was so impressed with Diamond that he suggested showing Diamond at Dublin. During conversations with Jane, when she asked if we would accompany her and show him at Dublin, we expressed some reservations. Firstly, the difficulty of a four year old taking on older, more mature, previous champions such as Rakish Paddy and Annaghdown Star. Secondly. the competition would be at the end of a busy stud season. That, and the travelling involved, would take its toll on his condition. We would be the first to take an English bred stallion to Dublin to compete for their highest accolade. If successful there could be bad feelings. Jane was undeterred, convinced that he was good enough. The entries were sent for. The Dublin Society were most helpful, making all necessary enquiries regarding our eligibility, our entries were accepted and our stay booked at the Rugby club.
We looked at Diamond six weeks before Dublin and all of us agreed that he was showing signs of his stud season in his condition, so Jane set to work with extra feed and exercise. Diamond quickly responded and by the time we departed he looked magnificent.
Our day of departure dawned. A long journey took us to Holyhead, then onto the ferry and across the water to Dublin. We arrived very late at the show ground and had a little difficulty getting to our box as the vet had to give Diamond a health check. All was well. Diamond settled in and we departed to find our pitch at the Rugby club, our camp for the few days stay.
The first day, Wednesday, was used as a parade for the stallions going to compete for the Championships on Thursday. So an early start was made to feed, muck out and plait before the public were allowed on the show ground at 8.30 am. The parade time arrives soon enough and all the stallions are paraded for the public with an individual commentary. This day proved invaluable as it not only gave the young horse the chance to get used to the crowd and surroundings but we were able to make adjustments to his bit and bridle to stop him gazing at the crowd. Any concerns we had about the Irish reaction to an English horse coming to Dublin were completely unfounded, we were made welcome as only the Irish know how.
Show Day arrived and there was great excitement. An enormous crowd had gathered for the stallion classes, the showground felt like a football stadium on match day. Thoroughbred stallions were first which added to the tension, followed by the Irish Draught which had the largest number of stallions entered for ten years, including our old friend Rakish Paddy. The 1995 Champion and three times Reserve Champion looked magnificent. Robin felt nervous, wanting to do his best for Jane's horse he also felt he was representing the high standard of horse we are breeding in this country. The steward called us into the ring and once we started the nerves subsided. Whilst parading around the ring 1 was greeted by the many Irish Draught breeders we have known over the years. Their response and enthusiasm told me that our trip would not be wasted. The judges made their selection and we were called into fourth place. It was soon time for our individual show and at last Diamond grows into long trousers and showed himself well, much to our delight. Around we went again, ready for the judges to make their final decision. We were delighted that our old friend RJ. Reilly with Grosvenor Lad (the horse that replaced our own King Elvis) was pulled in first. The Reilly family had been trying to win Dublin for 99 years. Even more to our delight we were placed second and the crowd showed great appreciation, it was a wonderful feeling walking up the turf to meet P.J. and Grosvenor Lad. I will never forget P.J.'s comment, as I joined P.J. I said "I am delighted to see you" his reply was "I am delighted to see you Robin 1 thought 1 would be walking up to see you". Rakish Paddy was in third place. We were all delighted with the result, honours were shared and no upset was caused.
The crowd that came to our box after the class and showed such interest in using Diamond proved we are getting it right over here. We have to thank Jane and Martin Manning for their courage and commitment in taking Diamond to Dublin and letting us be part of it.
The proof of their great friendship is that after selling our farm we were able to retain some land and they let us have Kiltowra Glee back (the other female in Robin's life). She is now in happy retirement with us and is to be our story for the 1998 Yearbook.
Robin and Margaret Cook Roma Stud, Exeter, Devon
Royal Dublin Show 1996