Wathelet wins Leipzig

Beating league leader Kevin Staut, Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet took the 10th Western European Longines World Cup qualifier at Leipzig on the 11-year-old Coronet Obolensky mare Corree after a blistering 16-horse jump-off. There was no luck for the three Irish contenders. Dermott Lennon had three down while both Shane Breen and Denis Lynch both came back with four faults.

Although Denis just missed out on the points this time, he still holds on to third place on the Western European League table and with just three rounds at Zurich, Bordeaux and Gothenburg left, his total of 45 will be enough to earn him a place at the final in Omaha. Lynch, Breen, Lennon and Bertram Allen all had top 10 finishes in other competitions at the four-day show.

AIRC dates

The dates for the Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC) National Championships have been announced and include a number of changes. The Hunter Trials Championships will return to Annaharvey Farm on Sunday, 2 April, while the final of the Team Show Jumping Championship returns to its traditional date in August on Sunday 13.

The Riding Clubs Festival takes place at Stradbally Hall Estate in County Laois on 10 and 11 June. The Dressage Championships will be held at Mullingar Equestrian Centre in Co Westmeath on 20 August while the Eventing takes place on 10 September at Kilguilkey House in County Cork.

Top sponsor sought

Horse Sport Ireland is seeking a new clothing company to provide official Team Ireland Equestrian gear for the riders. Previously, Horseware Ireland sponsored Team Ireland Equestrian kit for the riders, but continues to sponsor the horse equipment for Team Ireland.