Williams voted the Star of the Month winner for June

CONGRATULATIONS to Co Clare show jumper Rhys Williams who was voted The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for June following his two-star Grand Prix victory at Mullingar CSI2* with Playboy JT Z. Well done Rhys!

Bumper entries for Clifden

THE Connemara Pony Show is due to take place from August 15th to 18th and entries are up 20% as the CPBS celebrates its centenary year. The Connemara Pony Festival kicks off on Tuesday, August 15th with the All Ireland Connemara three and four-year-old loose jumping championships, followed by the in-hand classes on Wednesday, August 16th and two days of performance – ridden, working hunter and the Clifden High Performance Final – on Thursday and Friday, August 17th and 18th.

A special parade of past champions of the show will parade in Ring One at the Clifden Showgrounds after the Junior Championship on Wednesday as part of the centenary celebrations.

Loan horses wanted

GURTEEN College, Roscrea, Co Tipperary is looking for suitable loan riding horses, over 14.2hh and aged five to 15 years, available from September 2023. The horses need to be jumping at least 90cms to one metre, capable of doing dressage at preliminary/novice level with some cross-country experience. Please email a description of your horse, age, temperament and its experience, along with photos/video to Stephanie Scully at sscully@gurteencollege.ie or telephone 067 21282.

Chris Pooler RIP

THE death occurred recently of former Northern event rider and committee member Chris Pooler. His funeral service takes place on Sunday, August 13th. May he rest in peace.

SJI open invitation

SHOWJUMPING Ireland have invited everyone to come along to Mullingar Equestrian Centre next Saturday, August 5th to help welcome and congratulate all the Irish Young Rider, Junior, Children on Horses and Pony show jumping teams and squads who have returned from the recent successful European show jumping Championships. The event will include a presentation and reception for all the riders, chef d’equipe, their parents, families, owners, sponsors and supporters. The evening will also see the final of the Showjumping Ireland Premier Grand Prix Series. The presentations and recap on the recent European Championships will take place after the first round of the Premier Series.

Admission is free with hospitality and entertainment provided, so do come along to meet Ireland’s young superstars of show jumping, get your photos and selfies with them and watch them in action at Mullingar. Please follow SJI Social Media sites and pages for more information on the event.

Caroline Donnelly RIP

THE death has occurred of Caroline Donnelly, Ballycarnahan, Caherdaniel, Co Kerry, surrouned by her loving family in the great care of the staff of Caherciveen Community Hospital. Predeceased by her parents Anna and Michael, she will be sadly missed by her loving sisters Kay, Geraldine and Noirin, her brothers Michael and Frank, brothers-in-law Tommy, Bob and Tony, sisters-in-law Jean and Maureen, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and a large circle of friends. Her funeral Mass took place st St Crohan’s Church, Caherdaniel with burial afterwards in Derrynane Abbey. Donations, if desired, to the Irish Kidney Association. May she rest in peace.

RTÉ broadcast Hickstead

YESTERDAY (Friday) afternoon saw RTÉ broadcast the second round of the Longines FEI Nations Cup at Hickstead. The round was shown on the RTÉ News Now channel. The upcoming Dublin Horse Show will also be shown live on RTÉ. Producer Sinead Murphy, who oversees the coverage, commented: “We are delighted to be showing the live coverage of the Nations Cup from Hickstead this weekend, ahead of what is always a fantastic few days at the Dublin Horse Show. Following on from last year, which saw RTÉ broadcast legs of the Nations Cup, as well as the successful documentary ‘Horse Country’, we were very happy to work with HSI again to bring live equestrian action to viewers on RTÉ.”

Dublin Horse Show Best Dressed prizes

THE Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel has been revealed as this year’s sponsor of the top prize for Best Dressed at the RDS Dublin Horse Show. The Best Dressed takes place on Thursday, August 10th on the Band Lawn of the RDS. The winner will receive an Anantara package worth €10,000, while the runner-up will walk away with a €2,000 gift card for the Dublin hotel. Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel will have well known stylist and media personality Lorraine Keane joining fellow judge fashion doyenne Bairbre Power judging this year’s event.