Paul Darragh
Encyclopedia
Paul Darragh was an Irish
equestrian
who competed in the sport of show jumping
. He was on the winning team in the Aga Khan
three years in a row from 1977 to 1979 with the mare
Heather Honey. He was also on the winning team in 1997.
In an international career that spanned a quarter of a century, he joined with Eddie Macken
, Con Power and James Kernan in an Irish team that captured the public imagination as they won the Aga Khan Trophy
three years in a row from 1977 to 1979.
A full 20 years after the first of those successes, Darragh was on the team that won the trophy again in 1997, his last major win on an Irish team. Other highlights included wins in the Hickstead Derby on Pele and the Dublin Grand Prix on Carrolls Trigger. In total he represented Ireland 54 times in Nations Cup's.
He died suddenly at his home in Meath aged 51.
Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) president Avril Doyle said "It was a great shock to learn of Paul's untimely death. He will be remembered as one of this country's show jumping greats, for his talent, commitment and professionalism, and his achievements on both the national and international stages stand as his testimony. On behalf of the EFI and myself, I would like to extend heartfelt sympathy to his wife Jane, daughters Linda and Amy, his son Andrew, his father Austin, and his extended family."
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
who competed in the sport of show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
. He was on the winning team in the Aga Khan
Aga Khan
Aga Khan is the hereditary title of the Imam of the largest branch of the Ismā'īlī followers of the Shī‘a faith. They affirm the Imamat of the descendants of Ismail ibn Jafar, eldest son of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, while the larger Twelver branch of Shi`ism follows Ismail's younger brother Musa...
three years in a row from 1977 to 1979 with the mare
Mare (horse)
A mare is an adult female horse or other equine.In most cases, a mare is a female horse over the age of three, and a filly is a female horse age three and younger. However, in Thoroughbred horse racing, a mare is defined as a female horse more than four years old; in harness racing a mare is a...
Heather Honey. He was also on the winning team in 1997.
In an international career that spanned a quarter of a century, he joined with Eddie Macken
Eddie Macken
Eddie Macken is an Irish equestrian show jumper, who was a member of the Irish team - along with Paul Darragh, Capt. Con Power, and James Kernan – that won the Aga Khan Cup three years in a row...
, Con Power and James Kernan in an Irish team that captured the public imagination as they won the Aga Khan Trophy
Aga Khan Trophy
The Aga Khan Trophy is an equestrian prize established in 1926 by Aga Khan III. Eight of the top nations in the world compete to win the prize. It is held every year as part of the Failte Ireland Dublin Horse Show and is now part of the Samsung Super League. If the trophy is won three times in...
three years in a row from 1977 to 1979.
A full 20 years after the first of those successes, Darragh was on the team that won the trophy again in 1997, his last major win on an Irish team. Other highlights included wins in the Hickstead Derby on Pele and the Dublin Grand Prix on Carrolls Trigger. In total he represented Ireland 54 times in Nations Cup's.
He died suddenly at his home in Meath aged 51.
Equestrian Federation of Ireland (EFI) president Avril Doyle said "It was a great shock to learn of Paul's untimely death. He will be remembered as one of this country's show jumping greats, for his talent, commitment and professionalism, and his achievements on both the national and international stages stand as his testimony. On behalf of the EFI and myself, I would like to extend heartfelt sympathy to his wife Jane, daughters Linda and Amy, his son Andrew, his father Austin, and his extended family."