THERE is no shortage of training taking place at present, with the Northern Region holding the last of three sessions in their winter series with List 1 judge Joanne Jarden at Castle Irvine, Necarne on Monday next, January 27th.

The Eastern Region has engaged British Dressage List 1 judge and coach Harry Payne to hold a day’s training next Saturday, February 1st, at Monastery House, Enniskerry. Three days later, Tuesday, February 4th, locally-based HSI Level 3 coach Anne Marie Dunphy will be taking a clinic at Spruce Lodge for the South East Region, who are conducting the first of their Youth Development Squad training days with Dunphy and BHSI performance coach Jillie Rogers in Carnew on Monday, February 17th.

The North Munster Region has invited international dressage rider and trainer Matt Frost to conduct a two-day clinic on Wednesday and Thursday, February 12th and 13th, at the O’Brien family’s Castlefergus Riding Stables outside Quin, Co Clare. Also on the Thursday, but at Duffy’s Equestrian Centre, Claregalway, the Midland and Western Region is holding a day’s training with four-time Irish Olympian, and multiple national champion, Heike Holstein.

Judges in Amsterdam

Sixteen Dressage Ireland judges spent Thursday and Friday of this week in The Netherlands, more specifically at the World Cup show in the RAI, Amsterdam, for training at Prix St George, Grand Prix and young horse levels with Adriaan Hamoen.

Hopefully, the travelling party got home last night despite the weather but, if any of them were due to officiate at either of the DI-affiliated shows scheduled for tomorrow at Drummindoo Stud or Clonshire, they can rest up as both have been postponed to a later date.