THE 2021-2022 point-to-point season in the Northern Region belatedly commences today with the Iveagh Hunt meeting at Moira where it’s great to see that all six races are sponsored.

At the corresponding fixture last year, the opening four-year-old maiden was won, on his debut, by the Jet Away gelding Dreams Of Home who has since remained unbeaten in three runs over hurdles in Britain under Brian Hughes.

Today’s race, sponsored by Dennison Commercials, has attracted an entry of 23.

Next Saturday, October 16th, the action moves on to Portrush where there will be a void among the organisers of this Route Hunt fixture following the sad and sudden death of former Master and chairman Philip White in early May.

The following Saturday, we’re also in Co Antrim but lower down in Loughanmore where last year the opening four-year-old mares’ maiden was won by The Mean Queen, who has since won two Grade 1 hurdle races in the United States.

IF you should happen to see Iveagh follower Clare Abbott at the point-to-point in Moira today, don’t forget to congratulate her on her excellent performance at the recent European eventing championships in Switzerland where she finished best of the Irish on the Woods Rosbotham-bred Jewelent.

The good-looking grey gelding is owned by Rosbotham’s daughter Lisa who also owns, and stands, the nine-year-old’s sire, the Dutch Warmblood stallion Valent.

As written here before, Jewelent is out of the deceased 1999 Roselier mare Bellaney Jewel who carried Woods’s colours to victory once in a point-to-point and seven times on the racecourse proper.

Ballaney Jewel has bred two winners on the track – Bellaney Knight (by Marienbard) and Bellaney Gem (by Doyen) – while, in addition to Jewelent, her sport horse offspring, all of whom are by Jewelent, include Cooley Rosalent (who is now campaigning at international CCI3* level with Britain’s Oliver Townend) and Govalent (who recently was placed at Balmoral and Grove).

CAFRE apprenticeship applications

THE College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) in Enniskillen is currently accepting applications for the ‘Level 2 Apprenticeship in the Equine Industry’ course starting in November.

Apprentices accepted onto this course will continue to work in their current workplace, receive training from the CAFRE team based at the College’s Enniskillen Campus and work towards the British Horse Society Stage 2 exam.

Apprentices on the programme will be required to attend Enniskillen Campus for short blocks of training throughout the year and complete weekly online theory sessions.

Topics

The course covers a range of topics including riding and non-riding options to suit differing interests. Applicants must be aged 16-24 years and about to take up, or already be in, paid employment in Northern Ireland and working a minimum of 21 hours a week.

Jenny Richardson, CAFRE’s Equine Lecturer commented: “Completion of this course enhances employment opportunities for a diverse range of roles within the industry including grooms, riding centre employees and racing yard riders.

“Graduates may also have an opportunity to progress on to Level 3 study.”