Embyro Transfer Scheme continues

Horse Sport Ireland has announced that following the success of the Embyro Transfer Scheme introduced in 2017 it will continue to run the scheme in 2018. This scheme, which is being funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will aim to increase genetic improvement by maximising the genetic potential of Ireland’s top class performance mares.

The scheme is open to mares that are three years or older, are registered in a DAFM approved studbook and meet the performance or progeny performance requirements (see application form for details).

The embryo transfer must take place at a designated clinic after the 1st April 2018 and an application must be submitted before the 31st August 2018. A payment of €600 per embryo may be payable to the owner upon submission of a veterinary declaration confirming that the recipient has been scanned in foal and a receipt from the clinic.

Mare owners can apply for funding for up to 4 embryos under the scheme in 2018. Semen used for the embryo transfers must be from stallions which are Approved in a WBFSH studbook or a pony studbook approved by DAFM.

For further information on the Embryo Transfer Scheme visit horsesportireland.ie or contact Lorraine Mc Mahon on 045 854517 or Antonette Doran on 045 854508.

Grand Prix win for Allen

Bertram Allen and his 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding GK Casper concluded their weekend at Kronenburg in the Netherlands with a win in the two-star Grand Prix, in addition to two top three placings earlier last week; a runner-up finish in the 1.40m and a third place finish in the 1.45m.

The pair finished the Grand Prix with a brilliant double clear, with Germany’s Marcus Ehning finishing in second place and Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca finishing third.

Allen to take part in charity race at 2018 Punchestown festival

Bertram Allen will take part in the 2018 Punchestown Kidney Research Charity Race at the big National Hunt festival next month.

Irish Grand National-winning trainer Gordon Elliott will provide the German-based Wexford show jumper with a horse for the race and although a new challenge for Allen, he is looking forward to the race riding experience. “Gordon Elliot has a horse for me so I hope to get a good one,” the naturally fast rider remarked, adding “I will try to come back two or three days early and get some practice in. I never did any pony racing so this will be a new challenge.”

Italian victory for Cameron Hanley

Mayo’s Cameron Hanley took the top prize in last Saturday’s 1.50m speed class at the three-star Italian show in Arezzo.

Hanley and the 10-year-old mare EIS Isaura (Tinka’s Boy x Darco), who is owned by Equi Invest Showjumping, were comfortable winners when crossing the line in 67.99. Poland’s Wojciech Wojcianiec and Naccord Melloni came closest to catching them with a time of 69.41.