Castlelawn Cobra sold to USA

GABRIEL Slattery’s three-year-old Dublin loose jumping winner Castlelawn Cobra 19 has been sold to the USA. The deal came off the back of that Dublin win and was ongoing last week before being confirmed to The Irish Field on Thursday. By Cobra 18 out of the Lambrusco ASK mare Korea 8, the stallion was bred in Sligo by Stanley Nairn and won the colt section of the three-year-old loose jumping in Dublin on a score of 93. While the name of the new owner has not been revealed, he will now make his way to Kentucky after been bought by connections involved with thoroughbreds and with an interest in show jumping.

Studbooks’ tender update

THE Irish Field asked the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine this week for an update on the tender process for the studbooks, launched in January of this year.

A DAFM press office spokesperson said yesterday (Friday): “Evaluation is on-going on the above mentioned tenders and therefore no further information can be provided at this stage. Following completion of the process and the standstill period is observed, it is expected that contract notices will be published indicating which tenders will be awarded the contract.”

Nations Cup jumping

THE FEI has confirmed the traditional two-round format for Nations Cup jumping in 2023. A press release from the International Jumping Riders’ Club (IJRC) said: “Some Organising Committees have recently expressed their intention to change the Nations Cup format by reducing it to a single round. This intention stems mainly from economic reasons related to costs faced by organising committees, including those of many consecutive hours of media coverage.”

The IJRC listed a number of aspects that emphasise the sporting and historical importance of this class and added: “It is legitimate to state that thanks to its traditional two-round format, it is on the basis of Nations Cups that each country creates the foundations for achieving more important goals and the greatest sporting gratifications.”

Young Eventing Exchange success

THE inaugural Youth Eventing Exchange was a great success at Millstreet International. Twenty-one riders travelled from the UK to compete in this initiative between Eventing Ireland and British Eventing. Younger riders consisting of Pony (U16), Junior (U18) and Young Riders (U21) compete in a ‘friendly’ team competition. The British travelled to Millstreet International in August for the first leg and the Irish teams will travel to Bicton Arena International in October where British Eventing for the second leg. The initiative aims to provide riders with the experience of international team competition as part of their competitive development and team spirit. Plans are already afoot for 2023.

Youths were allowed to compete as either team members in the long classes or individuals in the short. Thanks to Ian Cassells and Patrick Byrne, who stepped up in good spirit to fill the team in the 3*L due to withdrawals.

Thanks to our sponsors, Its Plain Sailing and Childeric Ireland, for their support ever before we realised how successful this initiative would be.

The Youth Exchange is the brainchild of the Eventing Ireland Youth Committee, which is in its first year of existence. Its role is to support the Youth High-Performance Managers while providing support, leagues, training, and opportunities at the grassroots level. Youth membership of Eventing Ireland is growing as a result, and participation has grown as a result this year. It’s expected more training clinics will be through the winter and a fundraising raffle is being organised.