AIRC launches training grant to kick-start resumption

The Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC) is making a grant available to clubs to encourage them to resume their training activities as soon as they have considered that it is safe to do so.

Clubs were given the green light to restart their training programmes on Monday, 8 June, after the Covid-19 pandemic led to the suspension of all AIRC activities on 19 March.

The once-off grant, up to a maximum of €150 per club, may be used for instructor-led group training purposes for riding club members only. Members will also receive a discount on their membership when they renew it in 2021. The AIRC board of directors announced the decision to introduce the €15 discount next year for the lost months of activity while the travel restrictions were in place around the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This means that the fee for riding members will be €50 in 2021 and affiliated clubs must pass this discount on to their members upon renewal. Membership allows riders to participate in all riding club activities and competitions be it dressage, show jumping or eventing.

The discount only applies to 2020 members renewing in 2021, otherwise the fee remains at €65 for anyone else wishing to apply as a riding member next year. This includes those who were previously a member but not registered in 2020.

Cavan Equestrian Centre has confirmed a new date for its Performance Horse and Pony Sale which will now take place on 8 July. Full details on cavanequestrian.com.

The 2020 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Show Jumping Series is set to kick off at Galway Equestrian Centre on 5 July. The series, which is in its 16th year is aimed at five-, six- and seven-year-old Irish Sport Horses and offers €80,000 in prize money this year. The remaining dates and venues for the series are Barnadown (18-19 July), Mullingar (1-2 August), The Meadows (22-23 August), Coilog Equestrian (19-20 September), Wexford Equestrian (3-4 October) and Cavan Equestrian (18-19 October).

The thoroughbred auction series began again on Monday with the Tattersalls Craven and Ascot Breeze-Up Sale. The breeze-up began on Monday at 9am and the auction starts at noon today (Thursday).

Temperatures will be taken on entry to the racecourse and those present must keep two metres distance between themselves and other sale attendees. A maximum of 50 people will be allowed in the sale ring at any one time, excluding Tattersalls staff.

The first thoroughbred sale in Ireland will be the Tattersalls Ireland Derby and May Sale which takes place on 14-16 July.