WESTMEATH’S Ted Fagan has been voted Gain Star of the Month for August after he secured two silver medals at the FEI European Championships for Ponies in Le Mans, France, on his team debut at the level. Riding Ballyfore Rosie, Fagan began his campaign by winning the opening class at the championships to proceed on a zero score, before jumping another two clear rounds in the team final to contribute to Ireland’s team silver medal. The combination jumped yet another clear round at the start of the individual final, but margins were tight and when the combination knocked their only pole of the week in the second round, they had to settle for another silver medal. “This time last year, I never thought Ballyfore Rosie and I would make a European team,” reflected Fagan after his success. “We’ve come such a long way together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.”

CPBS to host dinner dance

TICKETS are now available to purchase for the Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society (CPBS) dinner dance, which will take place at the Connemara Coast Hotel on Saturday, November 14th. It promises to be a fantastic night, with entertainment provided first by the JAB Band and later by DJ Aidan Kenny. Accommodation can be booked directly with the hotel, while tickets can be purchased from all CPBS Council members and through the CPBS website, at a cost of €50 per person. A seating plan will be in place on the night, so guests are asked to arrange and book tables together when purchasing tickets. For more information, contact k.conroy@cpbscouncil.com.

HOYS Supreme judges named

LAURA Collet and Edwin Prosser will judge the 2026 Supreme Products Supreme Horse and Pony championship on the final evening of Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). As a double Olympic gold medallist in the sport of eventing Collett needs little introduction, but she has also enjoyed success in the showing world and won the Supreme Pony championship at HOYS in 2003.

Collett said: “Horse of the Year Show holds very special memories for me. I know how much it means to qualify for HOYS and to stand in that arena on the final evening. To return all these years later as a Supreme championship judge is a real honour, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Collett will be joined by Edwin Prosser of Mintfield Stud, an experienced Welsh pony and cob judge with a strong understanding of the qualities that make an exceptional show animal. After the announcement, he said: “I have very fond memories of judging the Price Family Supreme In-Hand Championship in 2022, so to be asked to return four years later to judge the Supreme is a tremendous honour.”

GoFundMe appeal for Kaitlyn

A FUNDRAISER has been set up to support promising young amateur jockey Kaitlyn Ryan and her family following a fall which left her with a life-changing spinal cord injury. The 21-year-old UCD student, who rode her first winner at Killarney in July, will be undergoing treatment and rehabilitation for the foreseeable future. Ryan had been working for John ‘Shark’ Hanlon for the last two years, and he has set up a GoFundMe appeal to support her in her recovery which has already raised almost €120,000. Hanlon calls Ryan “the most inspirational girl you could ever wish to meet,” and said: “I would urge anybody who can to donate a few quid because she has a long road ahead of her. No matter how big or small the donation is, it will all make a difference.”