’Concerned’ industry members meet with

politicians

FOUR senior members from the equestrian industry, including members of the Equestrian Competition Venues Owners Alliance (ECOVA) group, met with 10 politicians at Government Buildings on Wednesday to outline their concerns on how the industry is being run.

A source told The Irish Field that the “concerned” figures met with six TDs and four Senators in what was a “informal and exploratory meeting” to express their concern at the direction the governing body, Horse Sport Ireland, is going and what they described as a lack of engagement with the wider industry. The feedback was described as being “extremely supportive” after the meeting which lasted 90 minutes. The group is expected to continue to explore more methods of governmental interaction.

Connemara Pony Sales

THE August Connemara Pony Sale in Clifden, Co Galway, has been extended to three days, commencing on Friday, August 18th through Sunday, August 20th, due to the large volume of entries. Entries close next Friday, August July 21st, but note that, subject to reaching full capacity before the date, entries may close sooner. For more information on how to enter your pony, visit www.connemaraponysales.com, contact info@connemaraponysales.com or call 09521861/0872485422.

Easy Game dies

EASY Game, the Trakehner stallion of the year in 2021, died this week. The 20-year-old was the sire of top-ranked TSF Dalera BB, the Olympic, world and European gold medallist dressage star.

Sweetnam highest ranked Irish rider

CORK’s Shane Sweetnam has once again broken into the top 10 in the world and ranked at number nine is now Ireland’s highest ranked equestrian athlete following an excellent first half of the year. Conor Swail has slipped four places to be ranked number 10. Reigning Swedish world champion Henrik von Eckermann continues to be the world number one, ahead of Frenchman Julien Epaillard at number two and Harrie Smolders in third.

Dublin Horse Show Magazine out now

THE 2023 Dublin Horse Show Magazine, produced by The Irish Field, is in shops nationwide now and also available to order online at www.theirishfield.ie/store.