NEWS IN BRIEF: Baileys Flexi Eventing Series starts next week 06 January 2023 Free

Flexi Eventing Series kicks off

THE popular Baileys Flexi Eventing Series at The Meadows commences next Saturday, January 14th, at the McCusker family’s equestrian centre on the outskirts of Lurgan.

The league, which will run each Saturday for six weeks with prizes being presented on the final, non-qualifying day, Saturday, February 25th, is once again being sponsored to the tune of £1,000 by Baileys Horse Feeds.

Points will be awarded for performance of combinations as well as attendance each week up until February 18th. Cash prizes will be presented to the top 15 in the league while Treo Eile will donate a special monetary prize for the top-placed thoroughbred horse.

Full details regarding the dressage tests being used each week, the heights of the show jumping and cross-country fences, the proper dress code required (especially when it comes to hats) and the methods of entry can be found on The Meadows website and the Baileys Horse Feeds in Ireland Facebook page.

Western Region competitions

THE Western Region of Eventing Ireland is running two series of competitions this spring.

First up is a combined training league taking place each Sunday from January 22nd to the final on February 19th at the Milchem Equestrian Centre near Tynagh of regional chairman Ralph Conroy.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural series, the Western Region is again running a young event horse league which will run each Sunday from March 5th to April 2nd inclusive with the final being staged on the Bank Holiday of Easter Monday, April 10th.

This series will move around the region with qualifiers being held at Clare Equestrian Centre, Claremorris EC, Galway EC, Milchem EC and Tubberbride Stables.

Stepping Stones League update

DATES, sponsors and rules have been finalised for the 2023 Stepping Stones to Success League at Wexford Equestrian, Tomhaggard.

The league will run each Wednesday from March 29th to April 19th (viewing day) with the final being staged the following Tuesday, April 25th. Childeric Saddles will once again sponsor the four- and five-year-old classes, while Hoofprints Innovations is to sponsor the young pony class. Treo Eile continues its sponsorship of the thoroughbred class which, this year, will be split to cater for novice and open horses.

Once again, the Irish Horse Welfare Trust will sponsor a prize for the top-placed ex-racehorse, while leading trainer, and Eventing Ireland president, Jessica Harrington will as usual present the young rider trophy, the winner of which will be offered a week’s training in Britain with J.P. Sheffield.

Competitors can get themselves and their mounts ready for the Stepping Stones to Success series by taking part in the combined training league which starts at Wexford Equestrian today, Saturday, January 7th.

ITBA Breeding Workshop

ITBA will kick off the 2023 Education Programme with a Breeding Season Preparation Workshop on Tuesday, January 10th.

Topics include: Assisting Mares During Foaling; Foaling Preparation & Postnatal Care; Nutrition Plans; Getting Mares Back in Foal.