Star of the Month

CONGRATULATIONS to show jumper Jack Ryan who was voted The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for February. Jack enjoyed phenomenal success and multiple victories in the UAE in February.

Stallions Guide date

PLEASE see page 72 for an update on our 2020 Stallions Guide publication date.

Hickstead Derby show postponed

THE Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, scheduled to take place from June 24-28th, has been postponed. The organisers hope they will be able to run it in combination with their national show, the Science Supplements All England Jumping Championships, from September 1st-6th, subject to approval from the relevant governing bodies. At present, preparations for the Longines Royal International Horse Show (July 21st-26th 2020) are continuing.

“The intention will be to merge classes from both events to include a number of age jumping championships alongside the Speed Derby and the 60th running of the Al Shira’aa Derby,” they said.

Other cancellations this week include CSIO5* Rotterdam, CSIO5* Rome, the Spruce Meadows Summer Series and the five-star show in Lausanne, Switzerland. CHIO Aachen released a statement to say they are trying to organise the show at a later date this year.

NIHB cancels AGM

THE Northern Ireland Horse Board has cancelled its annual general meeting and its breeders’ awards night due to the threat of Covid-19.

The AGM was scheduled for uesday, April 7th next at The Meadows Equestrian Centre in Lurgan. No rescheduling date has been announced yet.

VCI advice

THE Veterinary Council of Ireland warned that practices would be stretched due to self-isolation of social distancing and urged people to work with their vet. Vets are taking every measure possible to ensure their services remain available during the Covid-19 outbreak, including dividing practices into smaller teams.

President of Veterinary Ireland, Conor Geraghty, said the smaller teams would have no physical contact between them to ensure that if a member contracted the virus, the others could step in to ensure the practice remains open.