Increased coverage of Irish Racing

RTÉ Sport and Horse Racing Ireland announced last Friday that they have agreed a new broadcasting deal for increased live coverage of Irish horse racing for the next three years.

Under the new deal, RTÉ will broadcast between 25 and 27 days of live Irish racing television coverage each year for the next three years.

Ryle Nugent, group head of sport, RTÉ said: “This new enhanced agreement is a statement of intent for RTÉ underlining our continued commitment to Irish racing.

“Irish horse racing coverage continues to be a priority for us and is an important part of our public service broadcasting remit.”

McAuley breaks French hearts again

Less than 24 hours after the Irish rugby team secured a stunning late win in Paris, Irish show jumper Mark McAuley denied the French another win – by taking victory in the Accumulator competition at the World Cup fixture in Bordeaux.

McAuley (below) and Valentino Tuilière posted what proved an unbeatable target, collecting the maximum 65 points in a time of 44.93.

France’s Simon Delestre had to settle for second place with Filou Carlo Zimequest. German Eventing rider Michael Jung showed he is equally as competitive in the Show Jumping arena, by taking third place with Fischer Chelsea.

McAuley had boarded a flight home before the prize giving ceremony took place – to celebrate the birth of a new baby with his wife Charlotte.

Horses needed for Intervarsity Championships

This year’s Equestrian Intervarsity Championships will be hosted by Trinity College Dublin’s equestrian club in Danville House Equestrian Centre, Kilkenny from 2-4 March, 2018.

Over 250 students from 20 different universities and colleges around Ireland will compete across the three days in the disciplines of show jumping, dressage and Prix Caprilli.

Trinity College require your help in sourcing suitable horses for the competition. They are looking for:

• Horses that are capable of jumping 80-90cms and are at preliminary to elementary level dressage.

• They also require horses with the ability to jump 1.10-1.20m and who are capable of Medium to Prix St George level dressage.

If you think you have something suitable please contact Trinity College on equest@tcd.ie