International glory for Howley

SLIGO’S Richard Howley and the nine-year-old gelding Zodiak Du Buisson Z (VDL Zirocco Blue x Dutch Capitol Z) delivered Ireland a victory on the opening day of the five-star Longines League of Nations fixture in Abu Dhabi, UAE. They came out on top in the 1.50m Grand Prix qualifier after a hugely competitive 19-horse jump-off on Thursday evening. Tipperary’s Denis Lynch finished ninth with the 11-year-old stallion Vistogrand. The 14-year-old Irish-bred gelding HHS Washington (ISH) bred by Miguel Bravo of Co Kilkenny and formerly ridden by Mikey Pender, also took victory in Thursday’s 1.45m class at the Abu Dhabi fixture. Ridden by Duarte Seabra (POR), HHS Washington (Tinaranas Inspector x Cavalier Royale) beat off a field of 68 horses and riders to scoop the prize.

Anti-doping information evening

SHOWJUMPING Ireland is hosting an athletes anti-doping information evening aimed at junior riders and their parents, in response to an increase in the use of banned substances in other junior sports. The information session will be delivered via Zoom on Wednesday, February 14th, at 7pm. It will be hosted by Sport Ireland anti-doping officer Lyndsay Mason. Check the SJI Facebook page for more information and to book a place, visit the seminars section on sjilive.ie

International results from HSI

IN a bid to get international results to breeders and other interested parties quicker, Horse Sport Ireland is changing the way it publishes eventing and show jumping results.

As of this week, HSI will post the results on the website: www.horsesportireland.ie, soon after they are published, usually the same day. UK and USA eventing results will be posted as soon as they are validated by British Eventing and the USEA, whereas CCI results from the rest of the world will await validation from the FEI. Meanwhile, for show jumping, all CSI classes will be uploaded once the FEI website shows them as validated.

Dressage training camps

WITH assistance from Horse Sport Ireland’s Sport Ireland Covid 19 grant scheme, Dressage Ireland will be hosting three two-day training camps in 2024. These camps will include one on one coaching with high profile trainers, test riding with senior judges, as well as classroom based soft skills sessions. The camps will be open to all 2024 Dressage Ireland and Para Equestrian Ireland members.

The first camp is scheduled to take place at Castle Irvine, Co Tyrone, on April 20-21 and bookings will open on March 1st. This will be followed by Ballindenisk, Co Cork, on June 29-30 and the National Horse Sport Arena, Co Dublin, on September 28-29. Details on each camp will be published on the website and social media once bookings open closer to the date.

Preparing to breed webpage

PROTECTING the Irish equine industry against equine diseases is vital to preserve our high health status and to maintain our ability to safely breed, transport and participate in national and international competition.

Horse Sport Ireland’s new webpage ‘Preparing to Breed’ includes detail on the pre-breeding health screening, national and international codes of practice, and importation of equine germinal products. It is vital that breeders adhere to these guidelines in order to maintain the equine high health status that Ireland currently enjoys. Visit horsesportireland.ie/breeding/preparing-to-breed for all the information you need.

Young Breeder training

TEAGASC has issued a reminder that Young Breeder training takes place at Dohyle House Stud near Adare, Co Limerick on Sunday, February 25th 10.30am – 4pm. This is the final training session before National Championships on Saturday March 23rd at Kildalton Agricultural College.

All aged 14-30 years of age are welcome. Booking online www.teagasc.clearbookings.com

New dressage Youth Championships

Dressage Ireland has announced details of its inaugural Youth National Championships which will take place on Saturday and Sunday, August 24th and 25th at CoilÓg, Co Kildare. The qualification period commences on March 25th and the criteria remains the same as previous years as per the DI rule book (section 3.16, page 21). Riders please note there will be no youth/junior classes at the National Championships in September where entries will be limited to riders over 16yrs of age from January 1st, 2024. Riders aged 16-21 may compete at both. It is up to those riders to decide whether they’d prefer to take part in the Youth Nationals or if they’re ready to compete at Senior Nationals level, or do both.

EVA vaccine shortage

THE Irish Equine Centre are responding to the EVA vaccine shortage by offering a reduced repeat mare EVA testing fee to support Irish breeders, producers and owners in protecting the national herd’s high health status. It is vital to carry out screenings prior to the breeding season.

For details and how to avail of this offer, please see the website: www.horsesportireland.ie