Wexford hosting Grand Prix Show

WEXFORD Equestrian is hosting a two-day Grand Prix Show on May 28th-29th, featuring the Gain/Alltech National Grand Prix and Mervue Equine Grand Prix. The action will take place on the grass arena with course building by John Doyle and Pat Peare. The young rider Leinster qualifiers, Amateur Leinster and Amateur Farmers Journal league qualifiers are included in the packed schedule. Enquiries to 086 390 2309, see SJI Live for entries which are closing at 2pm next Friday.

Irish team close in Nations Cup

THE Irish show jumping team finished second at the three-star EEF Nations Cup of Bratislava, Slovakia on Friday. The team, led by chef d’equipe Michael Blake, was Alexander Butler (Eindhoven G.H), David Simpson (Medoc De Toxandria), Thomas Ryan (Springfield 21) and Trevor Breen (Germaine W) were in a jump-off with Germany, with the Germans winning. Full report in next week’s paper.

Luhmühlen five-star entries

IRELAND has seven entries for next month’s five-star Luhmühlen Horse Trials. Cathal Daniels is entered with LEB Lias Jewel, owned by Jo Breheny, and Mags and Frank Kinsella’s Rioghan Rua. Michael Ryan is double-handed with Barnahown Corn Hill and TR Kaygraff, both owned by Carol and Tom Henry. The other three entries are Alex Donohoe with her own Guidam Roller, Felicity Ward with James O’Callaghan’s Regal Bounty and Sarah Dowley with Rubix Kube, owned by Ivan Dowley.

Wilsons Auctions title sponsor

WILSONS Auctions will sponsor the 13-leg Ulster Region Showjumping Series, including National Balmoral (July 7th-10th), Omagh and Antrim shows. The series culminates at Kernan’s Equestrian on September 10th. This sponsorship adds £3,000 to the series’ prize fund, totalling £10,000.

Fined for cruelty to dogs

AT Nenagh District Court on May 12th, Michelle Connolly of Killard, Puckaun, Nenagh, Co Tipperary pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, relating to three dogs, two Maltese and a poodle.

Judge Elizabeth McGrath forfeited these dogs to the ISPCA and fined Connolly a total of €2,000; disqualified her from owning, keeping or breeding any dog, other than two Great Danes already in her possession, for 10 years.

Billy O’Connor RIP

THE funeral Mass of the Island Hunt’s former huntsman Billy O’Connor is on Monday, at St Michael’s Church, Gorey, 11.30am. May he rest in peace. (See RIP.ie for any updates).