Jack Whitaker injured

BRITISH show jumper Jack Whitaker (20) will spend a couple of weeks on the side lines after a kick from a horse left him with an injured spleen. Whitaker was walking through the stable aisle at Northcote International when a horse being led kicked him in the back, lacerating his spleen. He suffered internal bleeding and spent a few days in hospital before being allowed home. He said: “It was just a freak accident that couldn’t be helped where I was kicked by someone else’s horse. Gutted to not be able to ride at Royal Windsor Horse Show this week but taking the time to heal up.”

Nicola Wilson update

BRITISH event rider Nicola Wilson remains in intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol after a fall from JL Dublin during the cross-country at Badminton Horse Trials last Sunday. An update from British Equestrian on Tuesday said: “Nicola is in intensive care and will be for the next week or so. She is able to breathe independently and is talking. She sustained no head injury. There are several spinal fractures, but these are all stable and will not require any surgical intervention, but will be managed conservatively.”

Three-day Clifden sales

THE three-day May Connemara Pony Sales takes place in Clifden, Co Galway next weekend, from May 20th to 22nd, with 570 entries. A full catalogue is available on www.connemaraponysales.com. Western Veterinary Clinic will be available to inspect ponies that do not have a valid vet cert. The service is available to both buyers and sellers for pre-purchase and post-purchase inspection.

Athenry Show

ATHENRY Agricultural Show takes place next Sunday, May 22nd at Teagasc’s Mellows Campus on the outskirts of Athenry town. There will be a wide range of classes in show jumping, showing, sheep, dog show, baking, home produce and craft. For more information see www.athenryagrishow.com or visit ‘Athenry Show’ on Facebook.

Cork Summer Show back on calendar

THE annual two-day Cork Summer agricultural show will return to the showgrounds in Curraheen on Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th 2022. Upwards of 20,000 visitors are expected to attend the show each day.

This year’s enhanced festival has traditional livestock and craft competitions, show jumping and demonstrations in cookery, farriery, floral arranging and walking stick-making, as well as drone racing and live music.