THE Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials has been awarded the FEI Eventing European Championship for 2025. The event will take place from September 18th to 21st 2025. The Oxfordshire venue previously ran the FEI Eventing European Championship in 2005. It is the first senior Eventing championship to be held in Great Britain since 2015.

Allister Hood RIP

LEGENDARY showman Allister Hood died on Monday, October 14th, at the age of 69. “Our amazing dad passed away peacefully at home last night with all of us there. He was simply the best,” said Allister’s family.

Tributes have been paid from across the industry to the rider, who won every title in the sport of showing before his retirement in 2021. His first Horse of the Year Show victory came in 1975, and the Hoods went on to produce more than 75 HOYS winners. In latter years, his most famous partner was the Irish-bred Our Cashel Blue, who was the HOYS supreme champion in 2016, among many other titles. Allister will be lovingly missed by his wife Anne, children Louenna, Ollie, Harry and Ben and the wider family.

Tom Hearne RIP

WATERFORD breeder Tom Hearne passed away last Saturday, October 12th. Tom was well-known in the equestrian industry for breeding and producing quality horses. He was laid to rest in Stradbally, Co Waterford on Thursday. Tom is deeply regretted by his loving wife Cess, his children Imelda, Susan, John, Margaret, Nuala, and Tom, sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, extended family and many friends.

O’Donnell Snr RIP

THE equestrian community was saddened to learn of the passing of Paddy O’Donnell Snr from Fenor, Co Waterford who died on Thursday, October 17th. Paddy was a gifted horseman, who was well-known and respected throughout the Irish equestrian community.

Predeceased by his wife Gay, Paddy be sadly missed by his loving sons Neil, Paddy, daughters-in-law Bridget, Maria, grandchildren Nico, Marie-Anne, Maireád, brothers Willie and Hugh, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nephew, nieces, extended family, relatives, neighbours, friends, and wide circle of equestrian friends. Paddy’s funeral mass takes place today (Saturday) at 12 noon in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Fenor, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.

AIRC webinar

THE Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC) has announced an exclusive webinar in collaboration with The Irish Equine Centre, scheduled for Wednesday, October 30th, at 7pm. This informative evening is designed for AIRC members, offering valuable insights into optimal nutrition and biosecurity measures for your horses. You’ll also learn from leading experts about the importance of gut health and effective strategies for worm control. The guest speakers are Alan Creighton, Head of Environment and Nutrition, and Dr James Gibbons MVB, PhD, Head of Microbiology. A link will be emailed to club secretaries for members to register for the webinar.

New horse for O’Connor

CIAN O’Connor has welcomed the 10-year-old stallion Funky Fred Marienshof Z to his stable. Previously ridden by The Netherlands’ Lar Kersten, he was recently clear in the Nations Cup Final at Barcelona.

O’Connor told World of Showjumping: “Most of the top horses that I had success with this season have either been sold or gone back to my students to compete. I’m fortunate to have some great partners to support me to stay at the top of the sport and so I was able to acquire this very special stallion.”

O’Connor’s Olympic mount Maurice is now ridden by British owner Keira Stoute and Fancy de Kergane has returned to Max Wachman.