Colm Costello laid to rest

THE funeral took place on Thursday of popular Connemara pony exhibitor Colm Costello after the Leitrim man passed away in St Vincents Hospital. Colm, who had a rare autoimmune deficiency, had spent 698 days in an induced coma in the Dublin hospital where his family had kept vigil. Colm’s best known pony was the dun stallion Killaneen Boy, who won the Connemara performance championship at Dublin last August for new owner Lucinda Kelly. A full tribute to Colm will appear in a future issue.

Edgar Hogg RIP

RENOWNED breeder and owner Edgar Hogg sadly passed away at his home in Long Acre, Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh, on Thursday, July 5th. His funeral takes place tomorrow (Sunday) in Christ Church, Maguiresbridge at 2.30pm, followed by his burial in the adjoining churchyard.

Edgar will be sadly missed by his wife Hazel, and children Thelma, Karen and James, who is well known on the national show jumping circuit.

Loss of top stallions

TWO of the country’s most popular stallions - Ars Vivendi and Harlequin du Carel - were lost to Irish breeders recently. The Holsteiner Ars Vivendi and his stable companion, sourced in France as a foal, stood at Paddy Quirke’s Ballymureen Stud for the duration of their stud career here. More details on this prolific pair and their contribution to the sport horse world in an upcoming feature.

Venue change

THE Wicklow Area IPA Summer Show, taking place next Sunday, July 15th, has been moved to Marlton Stud due to ground conditions.

European squads announced

THE Gain Irish dressage and eventing squads have been named ahead of the FEI Pony European Championships in Bishop Burton College, England, from August 9th to 18th.

The eventing squad is Isabel Comerford (Colour Me Fancy), Chloe Fagan (Fernhill Timbacktoo), Sophie Foyle (Little Miss Fernhill), Holly Love (Cloughreagh Charlie), Harry Swan (Wilderwood Storm) and Charlotte Teehan (Knockenpoower Minnie).

Winner of the final trial at Kilguilkey International last weekend, Ava Banahan, is non-travelling reserves, along with Daniel Meagher and Heather O’Connor.

The dressage squad also has a mix of riders with championship experience and those making their debut. The squad is Finn Curran (Blokland’s Hoeve’s Amor), Leah Murphy (RFS Socrates), Robyn O’Neill (Belsasser) and Sadhbh O’Toole (Schermeer s Hof Arendsoog). Tara Hayes and Thorneyside Kestrel are non-travelling reserves.