There will be seven qualifiers in the 2014 series which, unusually, starts at Rincoola, on Wednesday, June 4th. To avoid a clash with an RDS show jumping qualifier, the second leg at Scarteen will take place on Thursday, June 12th before the league returns to its usual Wednesday slot at Forth Mountain on June 18th.

Those heading to Dollanstown will also need to remember that it is taking place on a Thursday, June 26th, but the remaining three qualifiers at Tattersalls (July 2nd), Ravensdale (July 9th) and Tullymurry (July 16th) are all being staged on Wednesdays as normal.

“We took on board the concerns of riders who also have jumpers in their yards and made these two changes,” said Harold McGahern. “We are also looking into some of the rules and guidelines and other changes may be announced before the league gets under way.”

Co Limerick-based D.J. O’Sullivan is one rider/producer affected, and pleased, by the change of dates and he said: “I don’t know as yet how many horses I’ll have this season for the FEHL, but the move is a good one as we will now have more choice as to which qualifiers we attend.”