Pat Hayes chair of IMFHA

PAT Hayes is the new chair of the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association (IMFHA). Hayes is master of Duhallow Hunt and former master of Iveagh Foxhounds.

He takes over from Lord Waterford, who was in the role for almost three years. The IMFHA is the oldest sporting body in Ireland.

Livio stepping back

THE five-star winning French rider Maxime Livio has announced he is taking a step back from eventing to focus on other projects.

The 37-year-old announced the news in a video, released on social media, saying: “It’s not retirement, it’s a break.

“The idea is to take a bit of distance from the intensity of life as a high-level rider and have some time to dedicate myself to many other projects that are currently happening at the stables, which we will talk about soon.

“And to ask myself questions about how I want to continue, if I even want to continue.”

Maxime was part of the bronze medal-winning French side at the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Opium De Verrieres.

He has finished in the top 10 at five-star on 11 of his 13 starts at the level, which include his Pau victory in 2016 with Qalao Des Mers, plus runner-up spots at the French five-star, Kentucky and Luhmühlen.