2018 training as part of the young breeders programme (jointly run by Teagasc and HSI) commences Saturday, 24 February on the farm of Seamus and Maria Hayes, Kilconnell Stud, Fethard, Tipperary at 1.30pm with Teagasc Equine Specialists and Tiernan Gill assessing conformation and athleticism traits. This is the first step in preparation for the World Championships in Austria, July 2019. Open to those who will be aged 14-25 years on 1/1/19 for competition purposes and newcomers always welcome. Booking is in advance online at https://teagasc.clr.events

For info contact wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie

Sports Pony Challenge is back

The Sports Pony Challenge is a three-phase competition designed to improve the overall standard of equitation, and to showcase Irish sport ponies. After the success of last year’s inaugural competition the 2018 Sports Pony Challenge is bigger and better with a larger prize fund, more classes on offer and a new league for the qualifiers.

This year, the Irish Pony Society will also run a series of training clinics designed to assist competitors in their preparation for the competition and provide them with additional information about the Sports Pony Challenge.

Four qualifiers will be held around the country for the six classes of the Sport Pony Challenge which is open to IPS members and non-members.

All information can be found on the IPS website, irishponysociety.ie

Foal registrations

Foal registration numbers in the Sport Horse sector for 2017 are due out at the end of this month and it is expected they will be up on the previous year.

They reached a high of 7,633 back in 2008. But, with the downturn they gradually slumped year on year until bottoming out some 40% lower at 4,435 in 2015.

They began to rise again in 2016 when 4,968 were registered. It is hoped they will reach well above the 5,000 mark once more when the 2017 figures are announced.

Irish one-two in Florida

Irish riders’ impressive run of results at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida continued last Sunday, as Limerick’s Paul O’Shea led an Irish domination of the two-star $50,000 Equiline Grand Prix.

O’Shea and Imerald van’t Voorhof were last to go in an 11-horse jump-off and they scorched to victory – crossing the line clear in 36.84 seconds after a daring gallop to the last fence.

Second place went to another Irishman – Co Down’s Conor Swail on GK Coco Chanel. They had jumped clear in 38.24 to finish just ahead of American rider Rebecca Conway and Salitos in third (38.55).