Trading practices

MART trading practices are set for significant changes under new licences proposals set to come into effect on January, 1st, 2019 and will affect the trading of weaned foals at marts and sales. As reported in the Irish Farmers Journal this week, the new rules will state than any horse, outside of a foal that is still with the mare, has to be haltered or bridled at all times until they are in the pen. The changes, which are in the final stages of completion and due to be given the green light in April, will enhance good animal welfare practices.

WEF squad named

TEAM Ireland development manager Michael Blake has named a six-man squad for next Saturday’s Longines FEI Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida, as Cian O’Connor (Clenur), Darragh Kenny (Team de Coquerie), Denis Lynch (RMF Cadeau De Muze), Richie Moloney (Carrabis Z), Paul O’Shea (Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu) and Shane Sweetnam (Indra Van De Oude Heihoef). Blake will name his team on Friday.

George Kettelgerdes

GEORGE (Hans-Georg) Kettelgerdes has sadly passed away in Germany. The former master of the Ballymacad Foxhounds lived at the beautiful Sallymount House, Fore, Co Westmeath for many years and was a huge buyer of horses in Ireland, buying between 10 and 15 top three-year-olds at the Dublin Horse Show every year. Along with his late son Dirk, George produced Eddie Macken’s World Championship mount Welfenkrone, and he also bought the brilliant Topgun as a three-year-old.