Ronan Murphy takes up FEI role

FORMER CEO of Horse Sport Ireland, Ronan Murphy, has been appointed as Dressage, Para Dressage and Vaulting Director for the FEI, the global governing body for equestrian sports. Murphy will take up the role on July 10th, when he will join the team at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. He replaces former Director Bettina De Rham. “I am so excited to be taking on this role and to have the opportunity to positively impact a sport and a community which I am deeply connected to. I am an advocate for change, where and when it can create those opportunities and pathways in order to successfully adapt to new environments, and I look forward to supporting this process within the FEI, and doing so collectively with my new colleagues and peers in the community,” Murphy commented.

Murphy was CEO of HSI from August 2017 to September 2020 when he left the organisation. He was CEO of the Irish Limousin Cattle Society from April 2021 to September 2022, before becoming the CEO of Hockey Ireland in October 2022.

HSI Studbook Series opens

THE Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Series begins on May 1st and runs until July 18th and 19th. The total prize fund is €95,000. The series follows a successful 2022 which was open to all DAFM-approved studbooks. In 2023 this criterion remains but incorporates all horses documented as Irish-bred in any studbook passport. Foreign-bred mares and stallions are eligible to compete following classification in a DAFM-approved studbook. The dates are May 1st Galway Equestrian Centre; May 5-7th Barnadown Showjumping; May 19-20th Cavan Equestrian Centre; June 1-6th Mullingar International; June 17-18th – Cork Summer Show; July 6-9th National Balmoral; July 18-19th Tattersalls (final). The Galway qualifier/final class is a one-day event to facilitate other events within the SJI calendar.

Aloga Auction

DON’T miss Aloga Auction’s third edition of handpicked show jumpers, taking place on May 1st at Sentower Park in Belgium. The collection comprises 18 exceptional horses, including two impressive eight-year-olds that have already made a name for themselves. Among the standout horses are the Irish Sport Horse mare ABC Saving Grace, the six-year-old world champion from Lanaken last year; Qinn C, Bertram Allen’s top seven-year-old with several remarkable victories, including a class in WEF; and Prestige, who recently delivered an outstanding performance during the Sunshine Tour. Bertram Allen commented: “I want the name Aloga to symbolise quality. I want to be proud of every horse we sell, and I want our clients to return to us with absolute confidence, time after time.” The auction is led by Bertram Allen, Harry Allen, Maxi Lill and Laurens Meynaerts.

Vote for the Star of the Month

DON’t forgot to vote for The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for March. The nominees are Daniel Coyle, Seamus Hughes Kennedy, Anna Merveldt and Conor Swail. Vote by visiting www.theirishfield.ie/star.

IPC hunter trials

THE Mackey Equestrian/Irish Pony Club national hunter trial championships are taking place today (Saturday) at the Furnell family’s Ballycahane Equestrian in Crecora, Co Limerick. Such was the massive interest in these championships, the organisers closed the entries earlier than scheduled, having already reached the quota of 480. Entries for the hunting horn competition will be taken on the field.

The Carbery Branch’s Stars duo of Vivienne Draper and Nelsa Ní Mhurchú are set to get the action under way at 8.30am as they are Team No 1 of 34 in the Under 12 pairs’ championship.

Young Breeders

ISH Young Breeder training takes place on Saturday, May 6th at Atlantic Stables in Co Galway, home to Aoife McCabe and her selection of competition and breeding stock to assess conformation and athleticism traits. In 2022 LVS Vigo, a graduate of Atlantic Stables produced by Aoife up to his seven-year-old year, sold at the PSI Auction for €1 million. Aoife has a couple of 1.60m mares and a variety of youngstock on the farm. Some of those Aoife is currently campaigning include Mona Lisa Quality, Heritage Enigma, Atlantic Kannan, and KMS Ali. It’s a good opportunity to meet a rider paving her way in the sector, developing her own yard and business. Booking at https://teagasc.clearbookings.com/

Teagasc tour

places limited

JUST five places remain on the Teagasc Equine Education Tour taking place from September 23rd to 27th. The group will visit Lanaken for the finals of the World Championships for Young Show Jumpers and spend a further three days visiting farms in The Netherlands. Full details are on the Teagasc website.