EU-US tariffs under negotiation

HORSES imported from the USA to Europe could become subject to EU countermeasure tariffs if ongoing EU-US negotiations do not result in a mutually beneficial outcome and the removal of the US tariffs. The EU launched a public consultation on a list of US imports this week and it includes pure-bred breeding horses, horses for slaughter and live horses (excl. for slaughter, pure-bred for breeding).

Man court-ordered to return horse

A MAN who was last year ordered to pay damages to the owner of Emerald Equestrian Centre after a legal battle appeared in the High Court last week after unlawfully taking possession of a horse she owns. Last July, the High Court ordered James and Paula Buckley of Hillview Stables, Ballymoon, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, to pay their former friend and business partner, Caroline Teltsch, over €800,000 in damages over unpaid loans and the proceeds of the sale of property she owned. They were also ordered to return a previously jointly-owned horse to Teltsch’s care. Mr Justice Kennedy’s ruling was later appealed by the Buckleys but was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday, April 29th.

The following day in the High Court, James Buckley admitted to taking the horse, BMH Big Time, which he claimed he half-owns despite a High Court decision to the contrary, from an equestrian centre in Galway because he believed it’s hooves were rotting. Francis McGagh BL told Mr Justice Brian Cregan that Mr Buckley and another person had gone to the centre on April 9th with a horse box and taken the animal in defiance of the original court ruling. He was warned by Justice Cregan he was “perilously” close to being jailed for contempt of a High Court order if he did not return the horse by 5pm on Thursday, May 1st. Back in the High Court this week, the judge learned the horse was returned on May 1st. The judge gave Mr Buckley two weeks to have his legal team in court with the view to making a plan for vacating the property he is occupying beside Emerald Equestrian Centre. The case is adjourned until May 22nd.

Bandon Show ready for off

PREPARATION is well under way for this year’s Bandon Agricultural Show taking place on Sunday, May 18th. There is a huge array of classes from young horses to ridden hunters and some elite championships and qualifiers such as the Horse Sport Ireland Mare and Foal progeny classes. The pony section has something for everyone with IPS-affiliated classes in the ridden and working hunter rings. There are also family pony ridden and working hunter classes and this year sees the addition of two extra young handler classes.

Midleton Show entries

The 2025 Midleton Agricultural Show will be held on Sunday, May 25th, in Ballindenisk, Watergrasshill, Co Cork. The show has wide-ranging equestrian classes for horses and ponies and show jumping all on site. Visit the show’s website at midletonshow.ie to see the prize schedule and complete your entries by Friday, May 16th.

Patrick Conolly-Carew memorial

A MEMORIAL service for Patrick Conolly-Carew will take place on Saturday, May 17th, at 2pm in Christ Church, Celbridge, Co Kildare (W23 TD37). All are welcome to attend.