Pat Coffey RIP

THE racing and equestrian community was left shocked on Wednesday following the sad passing of racehorse owner, trainer and breeder Pat Coffey, who died in a freak accident when thrown from a cob and trap near his home in Portroe, Co Tipperary. A male teenager who was travelling with him was unhurt but treated for extreme shock. Best known for his success with point-to-pointers, he was also the breeder of the five-star event horse Ivan Gooden who finished sixth at Burghley last year under Imogen Murray. Two years ago Pat was devastated by the death of his 15-year-old nephew Patrick McCormack in a farming accident. Pat is survived by his partner Bríd and three sisters.

Europeans going ahead

THE senior European Championships in show jumping and dressage will go ahead in Germany in 2021, but there will be no eventing championships. The FEI received backlash from riders and stakeholders when cancelling next year’s Europeans back in May when the Tokyo Olympic Games were rescheduled.

Ludger Beerbaum’s Riesenbeck have been allocated show jumping from August 30th to September 4th, pending final confirmation from the organiser, while Hagen will host the dressage championships from September 7th-12th. There will be no eventing as the organisers that had put in expressions of interest to host subsequently withdrew from the process. The Para Dressage championships will not take place to allow athletes to focus on Tokyo.

O’Connor’s new horses

CIAN O’Connor added two eight-year-olds to his string of horses lately. He made his international debut on the Irish Sport Horse Kilkenny, previously known as MHS Fernhill, in Vejer de la Frontera two weeks ago. The Cardento-sired grey gelding was bred by Sinead Brennan and produced for Carol Gee by Sophie Richards and Duarte Seabra. He also purchased the eight-year-old grey gelding Australia, previously named Great Britain V, who was last seen with Belgium’s Jerome Guery.

HSI foal registration

HORSE Sport Ireland would like to remind breeders and foal owners that the fee for foal registrations will increase after October 31st 2020. The current foal registration fee is €61/£55.10 for Irish Horse Board members and €96.40/£88.50 for non-members. These fees will increase to €78.70/£71.80 and €115.10/£105.30 respectively after the October 31st 2020. Details of how to register a foal can be found at horsesportireland.ie.