Connemara Pony

Spring weekend

THE Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society’s Spring Weekend festival takes place on March 29th and 30th at the Clifden showgrounds. Saturday will see the All-Ireland Farriery competition take place at 8am. On Sunday, breeder Bridget Lee will give a talk on the importance of the mare line in breeding at 12pm, before the annual stallion parade takes place at 1pm. Entries for the stallion parade are now open via itsplainsailing.com and close on Thursday, March 20th.

Caroline Moore RIP

BRITISH eventing coach and mentor, Caroline Moore, died at the age of 56 on March 7th. Having evented at the top level, she turned her attention to coaching in 2010 and was mentor to world and European champion Ros Canter, as well as co-owner of Canter’s 2018 double world gold medallist, Allstar B.

British Eventing said: “She was a pioneering coach and mentor within the world of eventing. Caroline, who was recently awarded the British Eventing outstanding achievement award, leaves behind a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.”

Antler Challenge

THE 2025 edition of the Antler Challenge takes place tomorrow, Sunday, March 16th, at Joey and Emma Moore’s Primrose Farm, Greenogue.

The main features of the day are the Open Challenge, with its 32 fences over 5km and the Junior Challenge, over a separate course for 13 to 16-year-olds.

Prizes

The Antler trophy will be presented to the winner of the Open challenge, where there will be prizes also for the first thoroughbred horse home (sponsored by Treo Eile), first half-bred, first lady rider, first Ward Union Hunt member, first veteran (over 50), first heavyweight (over 15st) and first overseas competitor home.

Entry price on the day is €15 per person (free for those under 16) or can be purchased at a reduced rate of €10 on https://itsplainsailing.com/org/wuhc#event-57292