Eventing Ireland Youth Ball coming up

THE Eventing Ireland Youth Ball will take place on January 4th 2025 at Barberstown Castle in Straffan, Co Kildare. This year, the theme is the “Borealis Ball” as there are some stars receiving awards, but it is also a chance for all competitors, families and supporters to dress up in sparkling formal wear and catch up before the season starts, with music provided by DJ Murt. Tickets can be purchased via the Eventing Ireland Youth Committee’s It’s Plain Sailing site online.

Mullingar Christmas party night

MULLINGAR Equestrian is hosting a Christmas party night on Wednesday, December 18th, with some special guests, and everyone is welcome. British Olympian Geoff Billington will be in attendance, as will former National Hunt jockey Davy Russell and, perhaps most exciting of all, two-time Grand National winning horse Tiger Roll. Davy will receive a lesson in show jumping from Geoff – now that will be entertaining! There will be mulled wine on arrival and food during the evening, followed by a disco. Tickets cost €25 and are available on www.mullingarequestrian.com

Ingmar De Vos elected IHSC president

PRESIDENT of the FEI, Ingmar De Vos, was unanimously elected as the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) President, and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), was elected as the IHSC Vice-President at the IHSC General Assembly in Hong Kong on December 6th 2024. “It’s a big honour for me to serve as the IHSC President during the last two years of my term in office as the FEI President,” the newly elected IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said.

The IHSC was established in 2013, when the FEI and the IFHA joined forces to create the first formal vehicle for cooperation between the world’s leading bodies for equestrian sport.

London Olympic stadium to be sold

THE equestrian centre built for the London 2012 Olympic Games will be sold. The Royal Borough of Greenwich’s cabinet approved the sale of the Greenwich Equestrian Centre in Shooters Hill during a recent meeting. Documents cite “easing financial pressures” as the reason for the sale of the £1.6 million centre, which was funded by several sources, including the council, Hadlow College, direct investment by Sport England, plus financial backing from British Equestrian (BEF).

Franziskus FRH retired

GERMANY’s Ingrid Klimke has announced the retirement of her top dressage horse Franziskus FRH, aged 16. Klimke and the Fidertanz 2 stallion were on the German team that won world bronze in 2022. Fidertanz 2 was twice in line for an Olympic appearance with Klimke, a five-time eventing Olympian. “After 11 intense, emotional and unforgettable years, I am saying goodbye to major sport with Franziskus FRH,” Klimke said this week.