KENNEDY EQUINE CENTRE

'Glidawn Diamond' is a the the last in the line of the famous King of Diamonds - Kildalton Countess cross. The King of Diamonds is probably the most famous sire of Showjumpers world wide. His stock are too numerous to mention, they have jumped at International Level for almost every country with riders such as Nelson Pessoa, Ian Miller, David Broome. They competed at the highest level through the 1970/80's.

'Glidawn Diamond' was born to the RID mare Kildalton Countess at Kildalton Agricultural College in Kilkenny. She produced four RID sons to King of Diamonds; Diamond Lad, Kildalton King, Diamonds are Trumps & Glidawn Diamond. These sons have produced international horses themselves, and now more importantly we see their daughters producing more special horses for our generation.

Performance.

Glidawn Diamond competed himself in the mid 80's . He was one of the only stallions competing at the time and drew many spectators to the ring side to see him jump. He competed with Ronnie Kelly in Askeaton, Co. Limerick and jumped for two years with a number of horses that were later to be considered to be 'Great Irish Horses'; Tomboy & Diamond Exchange travelled in the same lorry; Heather Blaze& Lahorna Queen, all battled for top spot each weekend in the Grade E Classes. It was a great time for Irish Showjumping and breeding. He qualified for the Guinness Championships in Dublin and was retired to stud the following year.

He was noted for his wonderful technique, speed against the clock & his will to win. He was a guaranteed clear round jumper. He has a light active movement, super limbs & this can be seen in his progeny.

He stamps his stock, he is an amazingly intelligent horse & this is one of the qualities that owners of his progeny comment on. His stock are highly sought by young riders and Amateur Owners in the U.S. as they are easy but intellegent rides, always sympathetic!

Progeny - Just a few.............

KEC Diamond Millinium RID, 2000, 170cm, 9.5in bone, has been approved by the IHR as a stallion, he carries the Glidawn Diamond Line into the future

Coolcorran Cool Diamond- Irish Nations Cup Horse

O'Leary's Irish Diamond RID

KEC Double Diamond RID

KEC Diamond Saphire - top class young mare before going to stud. Dam of KEC Barbados, 4 yr old, just started shows.

Cahir - competing in US with Emilee Libby

KEC Bluejay Diamond RID

KEC Easy Tiger - full brother to KEC Diamond Saphire & Diamond Deal, competing in Young Riders Classes

The famous International Horse, Coolcorran Cool Diamond @ KEC as a yearling, with a very young Kieran.

KEC Alicante with Sinead Kennedy, now competing with William Greve in Holland

Diamond Deal, full brother to KEC Diamond Saphire, KEC Easy Tiger & KEC Ambition (dam of KEC Aldalice). He is now competing at 1.40m in Scotland.

KEC Bluejay Diamond RID

Progeny

His first crop of foals produced; Coolcorran Cool Diamond (International Star ridden by Robert Splaine); Celtic Warrior ( Exported to UK & then to U.S. where he jumped at Grand Prix; K.E.C. Sparkling Diamond, (jumped to Grand Prix with Damien Doyle); K.E.C. Diamond,( jumped in Boomerang with Damien Doyle & sold to U.S. where he competed to Grand Prix.)

Curracloe Sparkling Diamond, 9 yr old ISH App Stallion, bred by KEC & now jumping at National Grand Prix with Clement McMahon. (1/2 sister KEC Amoura, by Aldatus Z, will be competing in the 4 yr old classes this season).

K.E.C. Alicante - National 3 Year Old Champion, '02 & National 4 Year old Champion, '03. Now competing for Team KEC in Holland with William Greve.

Coolcorran Cool Diamond - ridden on the Irish Nations Cup Teams.

O'Leary's Irish Diamond RID, & K.E.C. Double Diamond RID - stallions now competing in Dressage in the U.S.

K.E.C. Charisma - in line up of National 4 Year Old Championships, '00, now competing in U.S.

Diamond Deal, full brother to KEC Diamond Saphire & KEC Easy Tiger, competing to 1.40m in Cumbria, UK.

Also :

K.E.C. Valderama (2nd Guinness, '99), K.E.C. Diamond Missile (Lanaken, '99), Caherwisheen ( Grand Prix here before going to U.S.) ; Tralee Diamond, Artic Dromin (Grand Prix with Sammy Pharo) K.E.C. Sparkling Diamond, Artic Fisher, Glidawn Sabrina ( International YR for Austria), K.E.C. Diamond Saphire jumped to Grand Prix, now retired, K.E.C. Easy Tiger, Kilbrim Diamond, KEC Saras Diamond (in Barbados) KEC Prediction; Glide Away owned by Paul Carberry.

The recent changes in course building (big distances) & the new found popularity in Dressage have changed our breeding focus. We now have to produce horses that are straight, sound, have elastic paces & show big scope over fences to compete with our continental breeders in the market.

Glidawn Diamond's bloodlines are the backbone of the KEC breeding programme, his fillies are crossed back to our Continental Sires to produce the new type Irish Sport Horse. We see that the stock retain the temperament, intelligence & fighting spirit of 'Diamond'. These vital characteristics are essential crosses with the big scope, elasticity, paces & ease of riding of our Continentals to produce our own Team Horses & also marketable competiton & amateur riding horses for the future.

Glidawn Diamond on Derrymore Beach last summer with Liam, enjoying some time off from the busy stud season! **********Foundation Sire of Future Stars!*********