News in brief
Prescriptions will be needed for womers
FROM December 1st 2025, Irish legislation mandates that all horse wormers will be classified as Prescription Only Medicines (POM). After this date, a valid prescription from a veterinary surgeon will be required to purchase any wormer. This change means that horse owners will no longer be able to buy these products over the counter without first consulting a vet. Since January 2025, all veterinary medicinal products - excluding antiparasitics (wormers) - must be prescribed and dispensed through the National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS).
The requirement for prescriptions for antiparasitic products, initially scheduled for June 2025, was postponed to December 2025 to allow time for necessary updates to the digital prescribing system. These regulations are part of the EU’s efforts to reduce the overall sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals and in aquaculture by 50% by 2030.
The Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) released a statement to discourage horse owners from “stocking up” on wormers ahead of the regulation change. “Unsupervised or unnecessary use of antiparasitic products contributes to resistance, jeopardises equine welfare, and threatens the long-term effectiveness of these essential medicines.
“Wormers should only be used when there is a clinical indication, supported by diagnostic evidence such as faecal egg counts,” IEVA said.
James McEvoy RIP
JAMES (Jim) McEvoy, grandfather of international show jumper Niamh McEvoy, died peacefully at Iveagh Nursing Home Banbridge on November 7th. Jim is dearly beloved husband of the late Marie and devoted father of James, Richard and the late Mark, father-in-law to Julia, Maeve and Aurelie, and grandfather to Ellen, James, Anna, Patrick, Niall, Niamh, Liam, and Sarah. Jim’s Requiem Mass was held on November 10th in St Patrick’s Church Gargory.
Community rally around Penfold
family
A PRAYER service was held last evening for Harriet Penfold and her family as the 21-year-old remains in hospital following an accident during the week. The service was held in the St John’s Church of Ireland in Kilkenny and was expected to be attended by a large number of the show jumping and equestrian community who have rallied around the family. Harriet is in the thoughts of the entire community.
Eventing Ireland host December training with Caroline Powell
THE Eventing Ireland Youth committee is offering young riders an early Christmas gift in the form of a two-day training opportunity with Burghley and Badminton winner and Olympic medallist Caroline Powell. The training, which is subsidised by the George Mernagh Memorial Fund (GMMF), will be held at Maryville on December 22nd and 23rd and costs €45 per rider per day. The first day will comprise of flatwork and pole work, and day two will progress to jumping a course. Lessons will be in small, tailored groups and athletes may book onto one or both days, depending on their needs. Entries will open at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 18th. Visit eventingireland.com to book your space.
Charles Owen stop UK production
LONG-standing equestrian manufacturer Charles Owen is to stop UK production but has confirmed it will continue to sell its products to the UK and beyond. A statement from CEO Dave Derby said “this decision comes as a result of our lease expiring on the premises we currently occupy. Despite strong commitments earlier this year that we would be able to remain, those assurances have sadly not materialised. Although we have secured a short extension, it only allows us to continue operations until December 19th.”