Late entries available for Botanica Show

BOTANICA International Show of the East is taking place on April 6th and 7th at Greenogue Equestrian in Dublin. With a supreme prize fund of €700 already, it will make for an exciting day out, finishing with evening championships under the lights of the indoor arena.

Points towards the showing Ireland awards are awarded at the show this year and the popular NIF qualifiers are also back.

Horses start at 9am on the Saturday. Late entries close March 29th. On the Sunday, ponies will take to the rings at 10am and entries will be available on the day. For further information, look on social media and entries can be made via https://itsplainsailing.com/org/sote

New dressage Youth Championships

DRESSAGE Ireland has announced details of its inaugural Youth National Championships, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 24th and 25th at CoilÓg, Co Kildare. The qualification period commences on March 25th and the criteria remains the same as previous years as per the DI rule book (section 3.16, page 21).

Riders please note there will be no youth/junior classes at the National Championships in September, where entries will be limited to riders over 16 years of age from January 1st, 2024. Riders aged 16-21 may compete at both. It is up to those riders to decide whether they’d prefer to take part in the Youth Nationals or if they’re ready to compete at Senior Nationals level, to do both.

Connemara Breeders hold Spring Festival

THE Connemara Pony Breeders Society is holding a Spring Festival from Thursday, March 28th to Sunday, March 31st. The first event will be colt inspections at Creagh Equestrian Centre on March 28th and 29th. Also on the 29th will be an open discussion with five guest breeders, followed by a question and answer session at the Station House Theatre, Clifden, starting at 7pm. On Saturday, March 30th, the All-Ireland Irish Farrier Shoeing Competition will be held at the Showgrounds, Clifden, commencing at 9am, followed by a demonstration and discussion on practical linear scoring at 2.30pm, also at the Showgrounds. Later on Saturday, at 7pm in the Station House Hotel, will be the Bartley O’Sullivan presentation, CPBS Hall of Fame Awards. Lastly, on Sunday, March 31st, there will a Connemara Pony Stallion parade at the Showgrounds, Clifden, commencing at 12 noon.