Kyle nominated for voice award

COMMENTATOR John Kyle has been named as a finalist in the outstanding live event announcer category of the One Voice Awards, which take place on May 9th, for his MC role during the Horse & Hound Awards 2019.

“After many years of talking it’s very nice to be recognised with an award nomination,” Kyle said.

Dressage winners catch the eye

WELL done to the Deirdre and Joan Geoghegan’s pure-bred Connemara Pony Carn Verdon Boy who continues to break new dressage ground for the native breed.

Ridden by Alana Cazabon from Cleggan in Co Galway, the Ferdia-sired 12-year-old gelding competed in his first Intermediate I last weekend in Ballinasloe, winning with a score of 64.85% and qualify for the Dressage Ireland Winter Finals next month (which have now been cancelled). He is the first pure-bred Connemara to reach this level of dressage in Ireland.

Also continuing to catch the eye at dressage competitions is the former top show jumping stallion Captain Caruso (ISH), who has made the switch to dressage since retiring from jumping under Mayo’s Cormac Hanley.

Now standing at Hanley’s home in Claremorris Equestrian Centre, the 14-year-old by Captain Clover is ridden by Cormac’s younger sister Ciara Hanley to great effect.

The pair won the Preliminary class at Ballinasloe last Sunday as well as the overall league, and were given the Best Newcomer Award.