* * * Members in the News! * * *
Author: Sue Holland
 Registered Irish Draught mare, Texas Diamond Belle Karen Garrett driving with Tom O'Carrol |
Texas Diamond Belle and driver, Karen Garrett, have had an amazing show season this year. Belle is a 5 year old RID mare by O'Leary's Irish Diamond out of Bonnie Belle Supreme and owned by Sue Holland. Karen was in need of a driving horse this season since her driving horse, Keltic Komet, an Irish Draught Sport Horse, was side lined with an injury. Belle was in need of a challenge following her long recovery from two colic surgeries last year. Together they formed a winning team in the Texas driving competitions.
Belle only had 2 weeks practice with Karen before her first event. Prior to that, Belle had only a few months of driving introduction as a two year old, which reinforces the fact that the Irish Draught has an awesome memory!
Over the Fourth of July weekend, Belle and Karen took home the Champion All Breed Novice Driving Horse award from the Heritage Classic Morgan Horse Show.
Belle and Karen finished the 2004 Texas Arena Driving Trial Challenge series in third place for Training Level. This represented points from three competitions through the 2004 season. We are quite proud of her.
Thank you to Karen and Pat Garrett for giving Belle the chance to show the Texas area what Irish horses can accomplish when given the opportunity.