Bertram does it again

WEXFORD Olympian Bertram Allen racked up another major victory on Thursday in the Winter Equestrian Festival with the Irish Sport Horse Pacino Amiro with a win in the five-star $140,000 Adequan WEF Challenge Cup, at Wellington, Florida. The horse was bred by Donegal’s Simon Scott and owned by Aiden McGrory.

Fourteen of the 54 starters made it into the jump-off, where Allen posted a superb clear in 42.88 seconds to finish over a second and a half ahead of Italian runner-up Lorenzo De Luca with F One USA. Full report next week.

MEC Future Stars

MULLINGAR Equestrian is hosting its ‘Future Stars’ Select Online Auction on Friday, April 8th. Bidding opens on Monday, April 4th and closes on Friday, April 8th. Run in conjunction with the Youngster Tour, this Select Online Auction is open to horses (4yo-8yo and older) with DAFM approved passports to meet the demand from pro-am and professional riders for genuine horses capable of rising through the levels in showjumping and/or eventing. (See more on www.theirishfield.ie).

Let’s Talk Equine

WENDY Conlon, Teagasc equine specialist, hosts Let’s Talk Equine on Tuesday, April 5th at 8.30pm with guest Dr. Niamh Lewis, Assistant Professor in Equine Reproduction and Fertility at UCD School of Veterinary Medicine. The topic for discussion is assisted reproductive technologies: when, how, and why? Attendees may submit questions during the free live webinar.

Rockview Harriers date

THE Rockview Harriers hound, terrier and lurcher show is back after two years at their popular venue at Seven Houses Coursing Ground, Danesfort, Co Kilkenny on Sunday, May 1st.

The hound classes have become a great day out for those hunts heading to the National Hound Show in Stradbally. Judging on the day will be John Cantillon MH and Mr Liam Geary.

The event commences at 1pm. Further details from Rory Dicker at 087-0635950.

Murphy entered for Kentucky CCI5*

JOSEPH Murphy is the sole Irish entry for the five-star Kentucky Horse Trials which takes place from April 28th to May 1st. Murphy is on the accepted list with Claire and Charlie Mayne, Annette O’Callaghan’s and his own Calmaro, who was 14th at Pau last year. The 11-year-old gelding is also entered for Badminton (May 4th-8th) and will only compete at one of the two. There are four British riders entered – Pippa Funnell, Leslie Law, Yasmin Ingham and Sarah Bullimore – while Oliver Townend has decided not to attempt to defend his title at the venue; he won in 2021 with the ISH gelding Ballaghmor Class.

Eric Lamaze bows out

FORMER Olympic champion Eric Lamaze has announced with “regret and sadness” that he has officially retired from competition. The Canadian show jumper, who was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017, announced in 2021 that he was “taking a sabbatical” from the sport and handed the reins to compatriot Beth Underhill. Now, the 53-year-old has announced he is finished riding for good.

“The situation with my health has forced me to make the decision earlier than I had envisioned, but the silver lining is that I still have the will to win and can contribute to the Canadian team and the sport I love through my new role as chef d’equipe.” Lamaze was announced at chef d’equipe of the Canadian team in February and has already led them to two second-place finishes in Nations Cups.

CPBS Spring weekend

THE Annual Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society’s Spring Weekend took place last weekend with three days of colt inspections at Creagh and Clifden, followed by the annual stallion parade on Sunday at the newly renovated CPBS HQ at the Clifden Showgrounds in blazing sunshine. Educational workshops and the launch of the 20th edition of An Capaillin 2022 also took place. A full report and pictures of the weekend will appear in next week’s paper.