WITH equestrian centres back up and running, there was a good attendance at Galway Equestrian last Sunday for its first training event. Galway Equestrian opted to offer a prize fund in each of their classes, a move which was very much welcomed by riders and owners.

In a bid to give something back to riders, Galway EC allocated 50% of the entry fee into the prize fund in 1m to 1.30m classes each day. In the 1m, all double clears got prize money, while the 1.10m, 1.20m, 1.30m were all run as a two-phase class with the second round timed and the prize fund allocated one to four.

Strict guidelines

Run in strict HSE guidelines, classes were booked on line (via itsplainsailing.com) and entrants were given allotted times. To allow for smooth running, there was a maximum of 25 horses per class (80cm, 90cm, 1.20m, 1.30m) and a max of 30 horses in 1m and 1.10m. There was a maximum of two horses per rider per class.

Pleased with how the training event went, Tomas O’Brien said: “I was delighted with the support that we got and the good feedback. We offered prize funds as I think its important to give something back to the owners and riders. It has been a difficult time for all in terms of finances and if we can give something back, we should do it. We have all suffered financially but we need to play our part in giving something back to all involved in the sport.”

Taking part in the first training event was Damien Griffin. “The event was run so well and the scheduled times really worked. I knew what time the classes were starting and I knew what time I would be heading home. I could load the lorry accordingly with the horses organised according to the order they would be jumping. There was no mad rushing around as we knew the order the horses were jumping. The O’Briens ran it properly, classes started on time and not ahead of time either.”

Damien added: “It was great of them to give some money back. I have a nice seven-year-old and was in the line-up and it paid the entry and a bit more. Getting any return is important for owners.”

Similarly, Shane Goggins was full of praise for the venue, saying: “It was so well run and you either jumped at your allocated time or you didn’t jump. I knew that I was going to start jumping at 11am and that my last round was at 4.15pm. The idea of a prize fund is important as it allows us to give something back to the owners. I was clear in the one metre and it paid the entry fee. It has been difficult for all of us, but we need to look after the owners who pay the bills.”