Eventing Ireland dates

EVENTING Ireland have published their fixture list for the 2025 season. The first one-day event is scheduled for Frankfort Stud on March 16th 2025 and the same venue will host the final ODE of 2025 on September 14th.

There will be five home internationals in the year, the first due to take place at Ballindenisk from April 23rd to 27th. The season will close at Ballindenisk International (2) on September 24-28th. See www.eventingireland.com for the complete list.

Northern Ireland Festival announces qualifiers

THE Northern Ireland Festival has secured M&M working hunter qualifiers for the 2025 Horse of the Year Show for the first time ever. Thanks to the hard work of the Northern Ireland Festival (NIF) committee, the new addition is sure to be a big attraction for Connemara Pony riders. The full list if HOYS qualifiers on offer at NIF is as follows; Working Hunter of the Year Championship, M&M Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year, M&M Junior 122cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, M&M 122cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, M&M 133cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, M&M 143cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, Exc 143cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, Intermediate Working Hunter Pony of the Year, 153cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year, 143cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year and 133cm Working Hunter Pony of the Year.

All these classes are now available to enter via the NIF website (northernirelandfestival.co.uk) and catalogue entries close at midnight on April 6th.

Stallion selections

THE Horse Sport Ireland Stallion selections are taking place at Cavan Equestrian Centre on March 20th and 21st, 2025. Applications are now open and forms can be downloaded on the HSI website. The closing date is January 31st 2025.

Sligo Candy Boy

HORSE Sport Ireland, on behalf of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook, has announced the new upgraded five-star rating of the 2009 Irish Sport Horse stallion Sligo Candy Boy, achieved by the performances of his eventing progeny.

Bred and owned by Padraig and Catherine Howley in Sligo West Stud, the son of Balou Du Rouet competed with Vincent Howley as a young horse, before retiring to stud.

Based on the results of his international three-day eventing progeny, Sligo Candy Boy has been awarded a 5* EV PP merit in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook. To achieve 5* status for eventing progeny, a stallion must have two or more progeny that earn Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) at CCI4*-L or CCI5*-L level.