News in brief

Whelan accepted for Badminton

IRELAND’s Patrick Whelan makes it 10 definite Irish entries for Badminton after moving off the waitlist with Ikoon Lan. Still on the wait list is Joseph Murphy with Belline Fighting Spirit, Ian Cassells with Master Point and Fred Scala with Everon Vivendi. As there is just one rider now in front of Murphy – who is accepted with Calmaro – and two ahead of Cassells, it is very likely both riders will make it onto the accepted list.

Treo Eile sponsors polo

THE latest in a long line of sports to benefit from the support of Treo Eile is polo. Treo Eile announced a sponsorship campaign this week that “celebrates and supports the transition of retired racehorses into the sport of polo.

“Building on the success of previous years, this ongoing sponsorship reflects Treo Eile’s continued commitment to promoting second career opportunities for thoroughbreds and recognising the vital role of their retrainers in this process.”

Across six national polo tournaments, Treo Eile will award prizes in both the High-Goal and the Low-Goal competitions with horses being identifiable with Treo Eile hip stickers during each tournament. These recognitions aim to spotlight the adaptability of thoroughbreds and the expertise of the trainers who guide them into their new careers. One success story to date includes ‘Lady Gaga’ who won the Best Playing Pony at the Bunclody Polo Club Tournament last year, owned and ridden by April Kent.

Lier Nations Cup

AS we went to press on Friday afternoon, the CSIO3* Longines EEF Nations Cup was ongoing at Lier in Belgium.

Chef d’equipe Michael Blake selected a team with a mix of youth and experience in Billy Twomey (Jumping Jack van de Kaleva), Niamh McEvoy (Jargon DN), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky (ISH)) and Eoin McMahon (Cornest). A report of the competition will appear in next week’s paper.