Passing of top breeder

The Irish sport horse world lost one of its top breeders with the death last Thursday of Ita Brennan of Mill House Stud, Gowran, Co Kilkenny. Among her many good horses, Mrs Brennan (nee Hughes) bred Greg Broderick's 2015 Aga Khan winner MHS Going Global (ISH).

Her funeral took place at the Holy Trinity Church in Gowran on Saturday with burial in the adjoining cemetery.

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Ballindenisk hat-trick

Britain made it three wins in a row at Ballindenisk last weekend where the Irish eventing team scored a runner-up finish in Sunday's FEI Nations Cup with France in third place.

The Irish team was mounted on Irish Sport Horses, with Michael Ryan, partnering Ballylynch Adventure (ISH) Joseph Murphy riding Sportsfield Othello (ISH), Cathal Daniels aboard Barnaboy Freeman (ISH)(TIH) and Nicola Ennis with Westwinds Jack Of Hearts (ISH).

Individually, Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello (ISH) finished best of the Irish in sixth place, just ahead of Jayne Doherty in seventh with The Only One (ISH)(TIH). Britain’s Pippa Funnell led from start to finish with Mirage D’Elle to take the winner's prize.

Thomastown Show

Sunday's Thomastown Show offers a great range of mare, foal and young horse classes as well as a €5,000 Grand Prix, pony and novice show jumping classes. There will be a full range of horse, pony and cob classes as well as the Irish Draught working hunter qualifier for Punchestown.

Carlow fun day

Carlow Farmers’ Hunt are hosting an Equestrian Fun Day on bank holiday Monday, 2 May at Curracruit, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. There will be jump cross, clear round jumping, six bar and dressage.

Enquiries to Ado 087 2425985 or Martin 087 2317756.

Leap Show

The 20th anniversary of Leap Horse and Pony Show takes place on Monday, May 2nd next at Keamore, Leap, Co Cork.

A full schedule of horse and pony classes with classes for donkeys and a dog show are included.