Stallion inspections dates announced

HORSE Sport Ireland will be holding Irish Sport Horse, Irish Sport Pony and Irish Draught Horse stallion selections on March 23rd - 24th. The closing date is Friday, February 4th.

Two options are being offered:

Option 1: Where applicants can undergo the same veterinary process as in previous years, i.e., submitting a pre-selection veterinary form, WFFS, EVA, EIA, CEM certificates and X-rays from a veterinary surgeon listed on the ‘HSI Radiography Panel’ and the stallion will undergo the clinical veterinary examination on the day of selection by HSI appointed veterinary surgeons.

Option 2: Where applicants can opt to have their stallion undergo the veterinary examination prior to the selection at a HSI Designated clinic (i.e., see stallion applications). This option allows applicants to have the stallion prepared for selection with the knowledge that the stallion has met the veterinary requirements in advance of the selection.

For more information, see https://www.horsesportireland.ie/breeding/stallion-selections/.

Irish team for Abu Dhabi Nations Cup

IRISH show jumping team manager Michael Blake named his team for tomorrow (Sunday’s) five-star Longines FEI Nations Cup at Abu Dhabi. Ireland is one of eight teams that will compete in Abu Dhabi, the first leg of the 2022 Longines FEI Nations Cup, alongside Britain, Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the hosts UAE.

The team is Tipperary’s Shane Breen with Z7 Ipswich, owned by Shane Breen & Team Z7; Derry’s David Simpson with Foudre F, owned by Breen Equestrian and the rider; Tipperary’s Trevor Breen with Highland President, owned by Heather Black; and Kilkenny’s Jack Ryan with BBS McGregor (ISH), owned by Marguerite Ryan. Full report in next week’s paper.

Five-star win for Breen

THE first five-star international Grand Prix of the 2022 season has gone to Ireland after a stunning performance on Friday from Tipperary’s Shane Breen saw him take victory in the €150,000 Longines Grand Prix of the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi with Team Z7’s Z7 Ipswich. One of nine combinations to make it into the jump-off, Breen produced a magnificent clear second round when second last to go, stopping the clock in 36.68 seconds to take the victory. Full report next week.

MLHR ticket appeal

MY Lovely Horse Rescue (MLHR) is appealing for people to buy a €23 ticket for a raffle of a Dublin house worth €400,000. MLHR said that if 40,000 tickets are sold, MLRI will receive €200,000. “We could make huge improvements, new stables, improve our much needed and used sick bay for injured and neglected horses.

“Please only buy your ticket from Raffall. You must sign up so that they have your email to inform you if you win,” said the MLHR spokesperson.

Huge turnout

THERE was 181 ponies at the official FEI Pony Measuring at Cavan - one of the largest attendances to be presented across Europe at an FEI pony measuring.