Call for hosts of Horse Sport Ireland Dressage Development Series
HORSE Sport Ireland has announced that applications are now open for venues and regions wishing to host a leg of the 2024 Horse Sport Ireland Dressage Development Series, which may include up to three pony classes.
Please note the Development Series is subject to funding by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services. Applications close at noon on Wednesday, February 7th. Visit horsesportireland.ie for more information and to apply.
Breeding and behaviour sessions
TEAGASC is offering a short blended course on the topics of foaling and neonatal foal health. Zoom sessions are being provided from 6.30pm to 9pm on February 13th and February 20th, with a visit to the Irish National Stud on Tuesday February 27th. For more information and booking, visit: teagasc.ie/rural-economy/rural-development/equine/training/#short.
Teagasc’s popular ‘Let’s Talk Equine’ webinar is also returning on Tuesday, February 6th at 8.30pm with guest Dr Orla Doherty of the Animal Behaviour Clinic. Orla will discuss ‘understanding equine behaviour and how your horse or pony learns’ with host Wendy Conlon. The webinar is free to join, visit: www.teagasc.ie/letstalkequine.
Ladies Hunting Day at Oldcastle
THE Ballymacad Hunt is running a Ladies Hunting Day, with a lawn meet at Knockbrack Grange, Oldcastle on Thursday, February 15th, at 11.30am. Enquiries to 087 296 9137. Visitors will be charged €70.
Dressage judges in training
FOURTEEN Dressage Ireland judges flew out of Dublin airport at lunchtime on Thursday to attend the FEI World Cup qualifying show in Amsterdam for two days’ of judges’ training.
Thursday evening’s programme included a young horse competition, followed by the show’s Prix St George, while there was an earlier start for dressage fans on Friday, with the Under 25s first coming under the spotlight at 9am, after which the Irish contingent rounded off their trip with training on the Grand Prix.
Sad passing of Judith MacMahon
RENOWNED show horse rider and founder of the Future Event Horse League, Judith MacMahon (nee Preston) of Lambertstown, Kilmessan, Co Meath, died peacefully at Carechoice Nursing Home, Trim, on January 20th. Beloved wife of the late Lt Col Ronnie and loving mother of Emily and Clare, who is herself a champion point-to-point rider, she will be sadly missed by her daughters, grandchildren Jack and Rosie, brother Punch, sisters Anne and Meloo, extended family and friends. Her funeral service was held on Tuesday. A tribute will appear in a future edition of the Irish Horse World.
New classes for national dressage
DRESSAGE Ireland has announced new grassroots classes for 2024 National Competitions.These classes will be for Category 1 Preliminary and Novice riders, who fulfil the following criteria: Riders who have never previously placed in the top six at Winters or Nationals; Riders who do not have BHS, HSI coaching or Pony Club A test qualifications; Riders who do not teach,school or ride other people’s horses for any remuneration.
“I am very pleased to welcome these new classes for 2024 National Competitions, as we are keen to support and encourage riders of all levels in their dressage journey,” said Mark Ruddock, Chairman of Dressage Ireland.
Dressage Ireland is also now accepting expressions of interest for both the Youth and Senior Home Nations Competitions 2024.
For information on qualification criteria or to submit your expression of interest, please email: admin@dressageireland.ie or visit: www.dressageireland.ie.