ERM returns to Millstreet
THE Event Rider Masters (ERM) confirmed its 2020 calendar this week and the £350,000 series will return to the Duggan family’s top venue at Millstreet, Co Cork, in August for one of its six legs. Launched in 2016, the ERM is the most valuable series in eventing. Each of the European rounds offers €57,000 while the UK leg offers £50,000.
The riders compete for the much-coveted ERM Series Championship title and an additional £50,000 series prize fund shared by the top three riders at the end of the season. Reigning ERM Champion, Australia’s Chris Burton has won the ERM Series Championship Title for two consecutive years.
2020 Event Rider Masters dates:
Leg 1: Barefoot Retreats Burnham Market International, Norfolk, UK. April 10th-11th
Leg 2: The Dodson & Horrell Chatsworth International Horse Trials, Derbyshire, UK. May 10th-11th.
Leg 3: Concours Complet D’Arville, Belgium. June 27th-28th.
Leg 4: Les Haras de Jardy Eventing Show, Paris, France. July 11th-12th.
Leg 5: Millstreet International Horse Trials, Co Cork, Ireland. August 28th-29th.
Leg 6: The Finale - Concours Complet International Lignières en Berry, France. October 10th-11th.
Hunter trials
THE Kilkenny Hunt are hosting their hunter trials in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow on Sunday, March 29th 2020.
Directory correction
THE Kilkenny Foxhounds have been in touch with us to correct an entry in the 2020 Irish Field Directory pointing out that Paul Holden MFH is a master of the Kilkenny Foxhounds for the 2019/20 season.
Quarrycrest Echo sold
PIGGY French’s team world gold medal mount Quarrycrest Echo (ISH) has been sold to Riding Club Crane for Japan’s Toshiyuki Tanaka to ride. The Clover Echo-sired 12-year-old was bred in Co Donegal by John Dooley out of Royal China (Cavalier Royale). Under French, the gelding was part of the world gold medal-winning British team in Tryon last year, and the silver medal-winning European team in September. They won the CCI4*-S in Hartpury earlier this season, as well as the Event Riders Masters at Chatsworth in 2018. “I would like to thank ‘Red’ for everything he has given me as my friend and partner in all the great days we enjoyed together,” French said.
‘Take on Tokyo’ tour
THE Irish eventing team will begin fundraising for next summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games when hosting the first ‘Taking on Tokyo’ Eventing Tour on February 7th at Maryville in Co Cork. Many of Ireland’s leading event riders will participate in the events which will focus on arena familiarisation, dressage and show jumping training and question and answer sessions. Tickets cost €30 for adults and €20 for under 16s and are available to purchase through the Eventing Ireland website.
Waygood appointed
THE British Equestrian Federation announced Richard Waygood MBEC as Performance Director alongside his duties as Eventing Performance Manager for the period up to and including Tokyo.
Next week’s paper
NEXT week’s paper will be in shops on Christmas Eve, followed by our Saturday, January 4th issue.