Gary Higgins RIP

THE funeral took place on Thursday of Gary Higgins, Claregalway. A keen racing fan, Gary also owned Joseph Murphy’s London Olympics horse, Electric Cruise, as a youngster and Badgerhill Cruise that jumped at Lanaken with Clem McMahon. This popular character also bred the five-star event horse Mermus R Diamonds. A keen amateur show jumper, Gary won the 2008 Farmers Journal amateur final and was the leading rider at the 2009 Towerlands amateur show with his great WCE Irish, known as Fitzy to his many fans. Gary will be deeply mourned and forever missed by his heartbroken family; Jack, Mikey, Gary, Ellen, David and Laura, his brothers Peter, Padraig and Micheál, sisters Carmel, Breegeann, Jacinta, Edel and Maura.

Eventing team named

THE Irish squad has been selected for the FEI Eventing European Championship for Ponies, taking place in Le Mans later this month. Sue Shortt has named her squad of six as Suzie Cosgrove with Kilcoltrim Swift; Kitty Cullen with Coppenagh Spring Sparrow; Hugh Kelly and Fairyhouse In A Pickle; Tadhg O’Haire with Ballinagore Hero; Anna Radford and Essenar Double Dutch; and Sophie Swain with Here Comes Trouble.

Lexus sponsors

All-Ireland Polo Club

LEXUS Ireland has announced a new exclusive three-year sponsorship with the All-Ireland Polo Club, extending until 2027, aimed at promoting Irish polo, nurturing new talent and creating great experiences, while combining the prestige of both brands. Established in 1873, the All-Ireland Polo Club is one of the oldest polo clubs in the world and the oldest club in Europe. Lexus Ireland will sponsor the Derby Tournament event at which teams compete for the President’s Cup and All Hallows Cup.

Mervue sponsorship

MERVUE Equine has announced its continued sponsorship of the prestigious Broodmare Futurity class at the 2025 Dublin Horse Show. Following a successful first year of a three-year sponsorship, Mervue Equine reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the future of Irish sport horse breeding and performance. Ciara Watt, Head of Mervue Equine, said: “This initiative is critical to recognising superior genetics and strong dam lines, which are essential for producing Ireland’s next generation of show jumping stars. Our products are designed to support mares and young horses at every stage, and we are excited to contribute to this vital breeding programme.”

Para riders in top form

IRISH para dressage riders were in top form at the NAF five-star Festival of Dressage at Hartpury recently when taking all three podium places in the Grand Prix A III last Tuesday, July 1st. Kate Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus impressed the judges to win on 71.60, ahead of Jessica McKenna on DCI Cerruti in second with a score of 68.97, with Kate Kerr-Horan on Lykkebo’s Don Akino completing the Irish domination in third (67.23). In the Grand Prix A I, Michael Murphy and Cleverboy took third place on 72.33, followed by Clodagh Walsh on Chantal in fourth (69.92). Murphy and Walsh repeated these placings on Wednesday, scoring 70.88 and 69.88, while Reilly, McKenna and Kerr-Horan did the same in their Grand Prix B III competition, with scores of 72.07, 69.23 and 67.53.