Eventing Ireland launches fundraising Lotto

EVENTING Ireland is inviting fans of the sport to enter their 50/50 draw, whereby half of the money raised goes to the winner of the draw, while the other half is channelled directly back into the sport. The initiative offers the eventing community an opportunity to support its own growth, and funds raised by the draw will be used to benefit members across Eventing Ireland’s regions and levels through investment in infrastructure and safety technology, and in regional training programmes and subsidised youth training. Interested parties can visit https://member.clubspot.app/club/eventing-ireland/fundraisers to enter, and winners will be announced on Eventing Ireland’s website and social media channels.

RIP Capt. Tommy Ryan

THOMAS F. Ryan, Capt. (Retired), died recently at Naas Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Margaret, son David, daughters Eimear and Aileen and his extended family. Tommy Ryan joined the Defence Forces in 1950, and served in Cyprus and the Congo, as well as with the Equitation School at McKee Barracks. He retired from the army in 1972 to work for Bord na gCapall and subsequently spent six years living in Lesotho with his family, engaged in running a pony breeding programme to improve the country’s equine stock.

Journalist Louise Parkes, who worked as his secretary in the Equitation Division of Bord na gCapall, remembered Tommy as “a kind and lovely man who was a joy to work with”. She continued: “I will always be grateful to him for his confidence in me at a time when I had so much to learn, and for his guidance and support.”

Sheehy tops Young Rider World rankings

EVENT rider Momo Sheehy has overtaken British team bronze medallist Elizabeth Barratt to top the FEI young rider world rankings, while former junior number one Ben Connors is now ranked third. Sheehy, who finished eighth individually at the Young Rider European Championships last year, started her season at Mato Do Duque in Portugal, where she achieved two top six placings at CCI2* level with Da Vinci. She also led after dressage in the CCI4*-L with her championship partner HHS Noble Call, but unfortunately didn’t complete. Connors meanwhile got his campaign underway at Tyrella, where he finished fourth in the EI115 with Zuperlative.

Herpes case confirmed

THE Irish Equine Centre confirmed on Thursday that a horse with a history of neurological disease has tested positive for equine herpes virus (EHV 1), and that the affected premises has implemented voluntary movement restrictions. The centre stated that EHV 1 is endemic in horse populations worldwide and can cause abortion and, more rarely, neurological disease. The most common neurological symptoms are incoordination of the hind limbs, urinary incontinence and recumbency, and any owner who suspects a case should contact their veterinarian. The centre also emphasised that there is no confirmatory evidence that vaccination protects against EHV1 neurological disease, and spread between premises is usually associated with the movement of horses.

Dr Byrne made chair of Horse Sport Ireland

THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has appointed Dr Pamela Byrne as Chair to the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI). The Minister has agreed, in consultation with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue TD, on the appointment.

“Dr Byrne has served as interim chair of HSI in recent months, having succeeded Mr Michael Dowling,” Minister Heydon said. “I am delighted to announce her appointment in a permanent capacity. Since assuming her role on the Board of HSI in October 2024 and more recently in her position as interim chair, Dr Byrne has demonstrated her expertise and a clear commitment to HSI and the sport horse industry in general.I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Byrne for accepting this position and I’m confident that her experience will guide and lead HSI for the benefit of Ireland’s sport horse sector.”

Polocrosse team heads off to Georgia

A MIXED Barbarians polocrosse team consisting of eight players from the UK and Ireland will travel to Whitesburg, Georgia, next weekend to play a series of open development tests against the USA. Held at Sandie Creek Polocrosse Club from April 10th-12th, the test matches are seen as a way of building younger players’ international experience. Coached by Irish World Cup player Debbie Harris, the Barbarians team features four Irish players. They are Jack Ellis from Equus, Cathy Matthews from Horetown, former South African international Nikita Gilks and Silverspurs player Peter Walker, all of whom have competed internationally before.

Dujardin withdraws from World Cup finals

DOUBLE Olympic Champion Charlotte Dujardin has withdrawn Alive and Kicking from the World Cup Finals, due to be held in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 8th to 12th. After reigning champion Lottie Fry chose not to attend this year’s event, Dujardin qualified for the extra place under FEI rules as the highest-ranked rider on the world ranking list who had competed in at least two qualifiers but had not qualified through the Western European League. She attended the qualifiers at London and Amsterdam, finishing fifth in the former and sixth in the latter. As the close of definite entries has passed, Dujardin’s place will not be reallocated.

Eurodressage asked the British Equestrian Federation if Dujardin’s withdrawal was related to an article published in The Times recently, based on a video taken of the warm-up at Amsterdam, entitled ‘Charlotte Dujardin’s treatment of horses under spotlight again’. The BEF replied negatively, and added “we fully support and respect the privacy of Charlotte’s decision.”