CPBS AGM and Spring weekend

THE Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society has announced that its AGM will take place on Friday, May 29th, at the Claregalway Hotel. The Society has stated that, in line with its constitution, the AGM will include the formal confirmation of the election of both new and returning members of council, following the completion of the nomination and voting process, which takes place in advance of the AGM. Members wishing to participate in the nomination process can find details of council vacancies and nomination forms on the CPBS website, and all members are invited to attend the meeting.

In addition to announcing their AGM, the CPBS also released the schedule of events for their Spring Weekend, which will be held in Clifden on March 28th and 29th. Events over the weekend will include the farrier competition, a jumping clinic with Peter O’Toole and a special sale of Connemara broodmares.

There will also be free educational talks with Dr Aurore le Breton and Dr Kieran O’Brien, focusing on preparing mares for foaling and covering and keeping ponies healthy respectively, as well as the stallion parade at 1pm on Sunday. Prizes up for grabs over the weekend will include an Aloga Equestrian rug hamper, and more information including entry forms can be found on the CPBS website.

Strangles in Clonshire

CLONSHIRE Equestrian Centre used social media to confirm a strangles outbreak on their premises this week. To confine the outbreak, they have paused the movement of horses on and off their yard, closed their schooling facilities and postponed upcoming events, although their riding school remains open with riding school horses being carefully monitored. The Centre stated that: “Thanks to our facilities, we were able to immediately isolate [the infected] horses in our separate old stable block, well away from our main yard, school horses and daily activities.

“This early action helped to contain and limit the spread quickly and effectively. Under the guidance of our vets, we are following a strict biosecurity plan and, most importantly, we are pleased to share that all affected horses are making great progress and are not in any serious danger.”

High Performance Squads announced

NEWLY-appointed Horse Sport Ireland eventing manager Sam Griffiths has named his high performance, development, recognition and U25 squads for 2026. Athletes selected within the programme will contest international competitions including FEI Eventing Nations Cups and the FEI World Championships at Aachen, as well as the inaugural FEI Eventing U25 World Championships, which will be held in Millstreet in July. The squads were chosen by a selection panel including Griffiths, independent chair Brian Mangan, Gillian Kyle and Declan Cullen, and the highest tier lists all the riders who contested last year’s European Championships with the exception of Robbie Kearns, alongside Georgie Goss, Joseph Murphy and Austin O’Connor.

Griffiths commented: “It is exciting to see so many quality combinations within the squads, and I look forward to continuing to develop these athletes and horses to reach their full potential.”

Treo Eile to support traceability

TREO Eile has announced a new partnership with Weatherbys Ireland to support responsible thoroughbred ownership and improve equine traceability in Ireland. As of last Monday, Treo Eile has pledged to cover the full cost of Change of Ownership, a legally necessary step which must be undertaken whenever a horse changes hands, for all eligible horses registered with them.

The organisation says this initiative is designed to strengthen compliance and support industry-wide traceability standards, which are essential for animal welfare. More information can be found on the Treo Eile website.