Veterinary medicine stolen

GARDAÍ in Galway city are investigating a burglary at Art Vets in Knocknacarra after a quantity of veterinary medicine was stolen from the premises last Saturday, April 7th, the Irish Farmers Journal reported this week.

The drugs included Dolethal, which is used to euthanize animals and is fatal if consumed by humans. This follows the theft of the same drug from a premises in Thurles, Co Tipperary, on March 24th.

Memorial Mass

THE Lyons family and Alltech Ireland will be holding a memorial mass for Dr Pearse Lyons in Dunboyne, Co Meath, today (Saturday). Dr Lyons’ family are deeply appreciative of the many prayers and well wishes they have received from friends around the world. His life will be celebrated at a memorial mass in St Peter and Paul’s Church at 1pm. All are invited.

Castlefield Eclipse retired

THE Irish Sport Horse mare Castlefield Eclipse is to be retired from the sport of show jumping.

The 16-year-old has been ridden to international prominence since 2011 by Swiss show jumper Paul Estermann. Together they were part of the Swiss team who won the team bronze medal at the European Championships in Aachen in 2015.

By OBOS Quality out of Furisto Clover Hill (by Furisto), Castlefield Eclipse was bred by Pat Nihill in Co Clare. She was sold as a five-year-old by Ger O’Neill to Paul O’Shea and Arturo Fasana and campaigned in Ireland by O’Shea before going to Estermann.

FEI World Cup Finals

AS we went to press on Friday evening, the second round of the Longines FEI World Cup Finals were beginning at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris.

America and Germany dominated the leaderboard after the first speed round when Beezie Madden took an early lead with Breitling LS.

Germany’s Daniel Duesser finished second with Cornet d’Amour, while America’s Devin Ryan produced the biggest surprise of the day to jump into third place with Eddie Blue at his first World Cup Final. The top 30 riders after last night’s (Friday) competition will go through to Sunday’s final round Grand Prix. Watch live on FEI TV.

Jumping challenge

THE Horse Sport Ireland jumping challenge, announced last week by the national federation, will kick off at the two-star Balmoral Horse Show on Friday, May 18th.

The challenge offers a €10,000 bonus for the rider who can finish gain the most points by finishing on the podium at three of the four international Grands Prix at Balmoral, Mullingar, Millstreet and Cavan.

In a very positive move, an additional €1,000 will be paid to the groom of the series winner.

ISA Yearbook

THE annual Irish Shows Association Yearbook was launched in Roscommon last week by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.

The Minister has allocated €812,000 to Irish Shows Association to support almost 120 agricultural shows due to take place in 2018.

“It is difficult to overstate the value of local agricultural shows to rural communities, an integral part of community life in rural areas.

I want to congratulate the Irish Shows Association and everyone involved in the publication of the Yearbook.”