Welfare and social licence workshop

EVENTING Ireland are holding a workshop entitled ‘Safeguarding our Sport: Horse Welfare and Social Licence’ at Punchestown Racecourse next Saturday, February 7th. Guest speakers include course designer Eric Winter, Olympic medallist Sharon Hunt and former President of the Veterinary Council of Ireland Dr Meta Osbourne, and the workshop will centre around the increasing importance of social licence surrounding all equestrian activities.

This concept is being challenged as questions are being raised about the safety and welfare of horses in competition, and Eventing Ireland say this workshop is an important tool to help anyone involved in equestrianism to understand what is acceptable and what is not.

The event is open to everyone, and registration will begin at 9.30am. CPD points are available to HSI coaches, and tickets can be purchased on the Eventing Ireland website.

New Treo Eile partnership

TREO Eile has announced a new partnership with ShowJumping Ireland for 2026, aimed at supporting the riders of thoroughbreds making the transition to show jumping. Under the initiative, Treo Eile will cover the cost of the SJI Sports Membership package for any thoroughbred registered with them in 2026. This package is worth €100, and allows the registered combination to compete in SJI-affiliated competitions up to and including 1m.

To avail of the scheme, riders must contact the SJI office prior to submitting their registration, so that the SJI can verify that the horse concerned is a thoroughbred registered with Treo Eile before the payment is processed.

More information can be found by contacting either Treo Eile or SJI.

Thomas Ryan to ride for Sweden

SHOW jumper Thomas Ryan, who represented Ireland at the 2009 Windsor European Championships and last rode on an Irish Nations Cup team at Drammen in June 2024, officially switched his nationality to Swedish with the FEI last week. Based in Sweden since 2019 and married to Swedish rider Erica Swartz Ryan, he will become eligible for selection to Swedish teams in June 2026 after his mandatory two-year latency period. Ryan has been competing at the top level of the sport, most recently contesting the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup class at Mechelen CSI5* with Jezebeau BC, whom he rides for Swedish owners.

Eventers and show jumpers nominated

THE Irish eventing team, which earned a historic silver medal at the FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace last September, have been nominated for the Her Sport Lidl Team of the Year award in combination with the junior European show jumping team. The juniors won team gold before Emily Moloney and Tabitha Kyle delivered an Irish one-two to take the individual gold and silver. The teams have been nominated because “taken together [these medals] made 2025 one of Ireland’s most productive European seasons in equestrian sport, spanning generations and disciplines”.

Other nominees include the Galway camogie team, Athlone Town women’s football team, the Irish women’s hockey team and the Irish women’s para triathlon team.

Voting has now closed and the winners were due to be announced at the Her Sport Awards presented by Lidl at The Helix last night.

Allen to defend charge

IRISH international show jumper Bertram Allen was arrested in Florida last Tuesday and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, according to an arrest report seen by The Irish Field. Allen has entered a plea of not guilty to the criminal charge laid against him after the incident during which he is alleged to have collided with another vehicle.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office arrest report, Allen was arrested at 10.04pm last Tuesday, January 13th after officers observed Allen had “an orbital sway while standing” upon exiting the vehicle at the scene. Allen underwent two breath tests following a medical examination and was charged with DUI property damage.

Venue of the Year

CASTLE Irvine (also known as Necarne Castle) was recently named as Venue of the Year at the Ulster Region of Show Jumping Ireland Horse awards for 2025. This is quite an accolade, as there are many top-class venues within the region.

Located in Irvinestown in Co Fermanagh, Castle Irvine not only caters for show jumping shows, the venue also hosts dressage competitions, as well as various Pony Club activities and, in the past few years, has become a popular choice for a number of camps - which are now annual events.

But Castle Irvine also offers riding holidays for those who are not competitors, who would just like to spend time with their horse. The venue has stables that can accommodate the equines, while rooms above the stables or the Garden House can be booked for the human visitors, subject to availability, so that everyone may experience the Venue of the Year.