Hannibal sold
VINCENT Byrne’s top horse Hannibal v Overis Z had been sold to American rider Julia Nagler. The 13-year-old stallion by Heartbreaker enjoyed much success under Byrne when owned by Martin Walsh, with their biggest win coming last summer in the 1.50m New Heights Champions Series Grand Prix in Omagh. Nagler is based in California but will travel to the Spanish sunshine tour in Vejer de la Frontera as part of Greg Broderick’s team this week.
Meanwhile, Jordan Coyle’s mount Eristov has been secured for him to compete at the top level. Formally owned by Andrew Kocher’s, Elan Farm stepped in to buy the talented nine-year-old gelding. The combination won the 1.45m WEF Challenge Cup on week one of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Breeding feature
THE Irish Field sport horse Breeding Feature will be free in the March 24th issue. The feature will include a number of sire reviews, sire listings and relevant information to help you choose the right stallion for your mare. If you would like to list your stallion in the feature, please contact Gareth O’Hara on 01-4051171.
Hunter Trials
THE Kilkenny Hunt Committee are hosting their Hunter Trials on Sunday, March 25th at Bagenstown, Co Carlow. All are welcome. The event will host all the usual classes, including high jump.
World rankings
KENT Farrington remains at world number one in the show jumping Longines World Rankings for the 10th consecutive month. Ireland has six show jumpers in the top 50, with Wexford’s Bertram Allen leading that group in 21st place.
Judy Reynolds from Co Kildare remains in the top 20 in the dressage rankings, down two places to 19th, while Carlow’s Sam Watson is Ireland’s highest ranked event rider in 39th place.
Monty tickets
RENOWNED horseman Monty Roberts is coming to Cavan EC on Saturday, March 24th. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.ie (search ‘Monty Roberts’) at €27.50 and are selling very well. Don’t miss this opportunity to see the living legend demonstrate his skills!
Out of WEG
TOP Irish-bred eventer Mighty Nice (ISH) will miss the World Equestrian Games. USA rider Philip Dutton posted that the horse sustained a soft tissue injury in training and will not recover in time to qualify for WEG.
SJI Ulster Region
ULSTER Region SJI Pony Committee chairman Paul Boyle announced the continuing partnership with TRI Equestrian NI as sponsors of the 2018 Spring Pony Tour in the Ulster Region.
Gareth McCombe, TRI Equestrian NI manager commented: “TRI Equestrian are now in our third year of sponsorship with Ulster Region Show Jumping and the partnership continues to go from strength to strength.”
The league kicks off on March 11th at Connell Hill.
Ballinasloe League
THE Ballinasloe Show Spring League began last on Saturday, February 3rd and will run until March 31st. There is a prize fund of €1,500. All are welcome.
Maier banned
AUSTRIAN show jumper Bernhard Maier (57) has been banned for five years and fined €5,000 by the Austrian Federation after his round on Paddys Darco (ISH) last June ended in elimination. The video went viral, outraging the public at Maier’s behaviour to the then 10-year-old horse.