DRESSAGE Ireland is facing into a very busy period on the training, education and social fronts with the Gareth Hughes Masterclass, which is being hosted by the Leinster Region, taking place tomorrow at Emerald Equestrian.

This is a near all-day event and the ticket price covers a wristband, which lets purchasers pick and choose between the sessions and enters them into a prize draw. Tickets are available to purchase at itsplainsailing and will also be on sale tomorrow at Emerald. Food is available throughout the day.

The first of seven sessions (Preliminary) starts at 10am and the last (Grand Prix) is due to be over by 5pm. There are two CPD points available for Horse Sport Ireland coaches who attend, while six CPD points will be available from the British Horse Society.

DI is hosting a training clinic with British Dressage List 1 judge, Advanced dressage rider and coach Richard Baldwin on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29th and 30th at Treascon House, Portarlington. This clinic is open to full members of DI.

Judges’ Gala

The annual Judges’ Gala takes place at Kildalton Agricultural College on Saturday, November 23rd. The gala, which has as its theme ‘ethical judging’, will be presented by former four-star international judge and renowned German coach Christoph Hess. This event is open to all – riders, trainers and instructors, as well as judges.

On the competition front, today, at Spruce Lodge, the South Eastern Region is staging its first show since the NutriScience Classic, while the South Munster Region were forced to postpone Ballindenisk due to a status yellow weather warning. A new date will be announced in due course. There is also judges’ training with Marie Hennessy (List 2).

There are three shows scheduled for next Sunday, October 13th. At The Meadows, the Northern Region is running the first leg of the Brass Stables UK and Ireland winter league, which will incorporate round three of the HSI DAFM autumn development series.

The Eastern Region is holding a show at Marlton, while the Midland and Western Region is staging a show at Annaharvey.

Further ahead, but on the social front, the inaugural Dressage Ireland ball will be held on Saturday, November 30th at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim. Tickets for this, and all other national events, are available to book via itsplainsailing.