Elizabeth Tolerton
A LARGE crowd from the worlds of racing, hunting, eventing and other equestrian disciplines attended last Thursday week’s service in Legacurry Presbyterian Church, Lisburn to celebrate the life of Elizabeth (Dorothy) Tolerton who died the previous Monday.
Her husband Richard, son James and daughter Margaret, will miss Elizabeth greatly, as will her three grandchildren Jonathan, Charlotte and William, sister Jennifer and her longtime riding friends Ros, Cynthia and Josie. The Irish Field extends its sympathy to all. A full tribute to Elizabeth Tolerton (née Gardner), who many will remember for her great hospitality at Beechmount events, will appear in next week’s Irish Horse World.
Dail protest
THE National Animal Day protest will be held outside Leinster House on Thursday, October 4th from 2-4pm. The peaceful protest is calling for the law to be upheld on animal welfare issues in the light of ongoing equine and canine cruelty cases which have surfaced nationwide.
Meanwhile, with World Animal Week next week (October 1st-7th), the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG) is launching a #PuppyDotCon campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of responding to online pet advertisements.
Directory deadline
MANY thanks to all who have kindly returned their completed forms for the 2019 The Irish Field Directory to our offices.
Those who responded before our deadline were eligible for a prize draw and the winner of a day out at Gowran Park next Saturday is Margaret McMullin of Wicklow Equestrian in Roundwood, Co Wicklow.
If you would like your stud or organisation listed in the The Irish Field Directory, please contact Margaret O’Connor on (01)-4051178 on Monday, October 1st.
McNab wins eventing challenge
AUSTRALIA’s Kevin McNab won the inaugural Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge and prize fund of €10,000. The challenge was set up to encourage more riders, both national and international, to compete in one and two-star international competitions held in Ireland. HSI allocated a prize fund of €20,000 to this initiative (€10,000 for eventing and €10,000 for show jumping), as well as an extra €1,000 for the groom of each winner.
McNab won the CIC2* at Kilguilkey and the CIC2* at Camphire earlier in the season aboard the 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Willunga and couldn’t be beaten heading into last week’s finale in Ballindenisk with 245 points. Cathal Daniels was the runner-up with 195 points.
Book awards
DECEMBER 31st is the entry deadline for the 2018 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for books published in 2018 that have a thoroughbred theme. This award is sponsored by Castleton Lyons and 2018 will mark the 13th consecutive year that authors can be considered for a competition that rewards excellence in equine literature. The winner receives $10,000 and a Tipperary Crystal trophy for a competition that is named for the late Castleton Lyons owner Dr. Tony Ryan.
See castletonlyons.com
Dowth Hall point
THE Dowth Point-to-Point and Country Fair will take place on Sunday, October 28th at Dowth, Brú na Bóinne, Co Meath.
Equine rehab unit
THE Irish Equine Rehabilitation and Fitness Centre in Lisburn opens today (Saturday). Its equine water treadmill is open to trainers, coaches and riders as well as the public.