Date change for stallion inspections

The previously advertised date for the 2018 HSI Stallion Inspections has been changed.

They will now begin on 21 March at Cavan Equestrian Centre.

Entries are now open with Horse Sport Ireland and forms can be had from Antonette (045 854508) or Lorraine (045 854517) or on line at horsesportireland.ie.

Closing date is Tuesday, 9 January.

Billy Ringrose Book Launched

The book titled: ’Billy Ringrose A Memoir of my Father’, by Fergal Ringrose that we mentioned here a few weeks ago, has now been launched.

Its 280 pages and 80 illustrations illuminate not only the career of this unique Irish horse man but also shines light on the period of his competitive and administrative career during the fifties, sixties and seventies.

Copies are now available by contacting Fergal by email: fergalringrose@mediateam.ie, or by visiting billyringrose.

It will also be on sale at The Old Book Shop, Tara, Co Meath and at the RDS Library.

Irish feature in Grand Prix prizes

Irish riders featured strongly in two lucrative five-star Grand Prix competitions on Sunday last, with Denis Lynch finishing fourth in the Spanish Longines FEI World Cup in La Coruna, while Cian O’Connor finished fifth in the Swiss Rolex Grand Prix in Geneva.

Lynch and Thomas Straumann’s 14-year-old stallion All Star were one of eight combinations who made it through to the jump-off in La Coruna, which was hosting the seventh round of the Longines FEI World Cup series.

They jumped clear again in the second round, crossing the line in 45.77 seconds when fourth last to go against the clock and finished fourth overall to collect €33,000 and valuable World Cup points.

Shane Breen collected his first World Cup points of the season when finishing 12th with Laith. Victory in Spain went to Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander with California with a time of 40.08.

The result leaves Denis Lynch and Mark McAuley in equal fourth place on the league table on 37 points and in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup final next April.

Cian O’Connor and the grey gelding Fibonacci scored an impressive fifth place finish in the five-star Rolex Grand Prix at Geneva in Switzerland, which was part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

One of just five combinations to jump clear in the opening round, they lowered a single fence when last to go against the clock. Their fifth place finish saw them collect €76,000.

The massive winners prize of €400,000 went to America’s Kent Farrington with Gazelle.