FEI General Assembly

THE FEI General Assembly begins tomorrow (Sunday) in Antwerp, Belgium, where Horse Sport Ireland will be represented by acting CEO Joe Reynolds. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the varying restrictions in place around the world, this year’s General Assembly will take a hybrid form: attendance will be possible both in-person and online. Attendance is restricted to National Federations, stakeholders, guests, etc. and is by invitation only. The proposed qualification system for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is among the big issues to be approved at the four-day assembly, which ends with the annual FEI Awards on Wednesday night.

Kathleen Henry RIP

KATHLEEN Henry sadly passed away on Wednesday, November 10th, peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of the late Johnny Henry, the whipper-in and huntsman of the Meath Foxhounds for over 50 seasons. She is survived by her sons John and Kenny, the current Meath joint-huntsmen, Christopher, David and Martin, and her daughters Elizabeth and Maria, as well as her grandchildren, relatives, and a wide circle of friends.

Her funeral Mass will take place today (Saturday) at Christ the King Church, Cortown, Kells, Co Meath, with burial afterwards at the local graveyard.

Sheedy elected CPBS president

DAVE Sheedy was elected President of the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society at the Annual General Meeting held last Sunday. Sheedy was the vice president for the past two years. He succeeds Anne Marie Conroy who was the first female president of the society. Gearoid Curran was elected vice president.

Connemara sale

THE Connemara Pony Sales have added an extra day to their upcoming sale due to unprecedented demand. A two-day sale will take place at the Clifden Mark on December 4th and 5th next. Entries closed yesterday (Friday).

Balmoral 2022 qualifiers

THE Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) is seeking expressions of interest from venues wishing to host qualifiers for the following competitions being held at the Balmoral Show from May 11th – 14th 2022. There are four venues required for National show jumping (5yo, 6&7yo, 1.35m, amateurs) and for the 128-85cm Under 10’s Championship; while they are seeking five venues for the Schools Team Show Jumping Open Championship. All qualifiers must be completed by April 10th 2022.

Expressions of interest, together with preferred qualifier dates are required to be submitted in writing to Vickie White at vickie@ruas.org.uk no later than Friday, December 3rd 2021.