Paul Darragh
Paul Darragh | |
---|---|
Personal information | |
Full name | Paul Darragh |
Nationality | Ireland |
Discipline | Show jumping |
Born |
Killiney, Republic of Ireland | April 28, 1953
Died |
January 3, 2005 51) Ashbourne, Republic of Ireland | (aged
Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
Weight | 132 lb (60 kg; 9 st 6 lb) |
Paul Darragh (April 28, 1953 – January 3, 2005) 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 Cups.
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."