FEI award for
Lee McKeever
PORTMARNOCK native Lee McKeever won the ‘Best Groom’ award at the prestigious FEI Awards in Manama, Bahrain, on Tuesday night. Groom to USA’s double Olympic gold medallist McLain Ward for over 30 years, their shared success include the recent WEG team gold medal with Clinta, the 2017 Jumping World Cup title with HH Azur in Omaha, an individual gold medal with Rothchild at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto, and team gold medals at the Beijing 2008 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games with Sapphire.
Catch Me If You Can sold
LAURA Klaphake’s top mount Catch Me If You Can has been sold to Czech show jumper Anna Kellnerova. The Paul Schockemöhle-owned 10-year-old mare by Catoki has been partnered by part-time show jumper Klaphake since 2014.
They were part of the German team who won a team bronze medal at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon last September.
AIRC review
THE Board of Directors of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs has appointed a five-member advisory group to review the grading structures within the organisation. Members are currently graded in dressage, show jumping and cross-country and this determines at what level they can compete at in AIRC competitions.
AIRC chairman Tony Ennis said: “As the environment in which we operate continues to evolve and adapt, we must as an organisation review how we operate to ensure we can best meet the needs of our member clubs and their associate members.”
Dogs needing good homes
THE ISPCA is appealing for good homes for nine Terrier Collie type dogs currently at the Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Ramelton, Co Donegal.
ISPCA Centre Manager Denise McCausland said: “These dogs are such fabulous characters with individual personalities ranging in size and age from 18 months right up to 10 years old.” More information at https://www.ispca.ie/rehoming/dogs_rehoming/
Rural fund
IN total, some €1 billion in funding will be allocated over the next 10 years for rural communities with a popular smaller than 10,000 as part of Project Ireland 2040 plan to redevelop Ireland. The first tranche of funding was announced this week by Taoiseach Leo Varadkhar and Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring TD.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund aims to rejuvenate smaller towns, villages and rural areas, generate job opportunities in rural areas, and help communities.
In 2019, the fund will have €55 million allocated and over 290 applications for funding were received from a wide variety of state-funded bodies. Over the next four years, €315 million will be invested in rural communities under this fund.
Foal notification
FROM January 2019, breeders are required to notify Weatherbys Ireland General Stud Book within 30 days of the birth of a thoroughbred or non-thoroughbred foal born in Ireland and bred for racing. The notification of birth will be automatically triggered by the submission of DNA (blood and markings). There will be no additional fees for notification of birth within the 30-day window.
The 30-day foal notification will aenable HRI and the IHRB, on behalf of the industry, to trace the whereabouts of thoroughbreds and non-thoroughbreds in Ireland from the earliest stage.
Russell Ferris, Weatherbys Ireland GSB, said: “The 30-day foal notification system will be live from mid-January 2019, this automated system will not affect the manner in which the foals are registered.
“Foal registrations should be completed before the July 31st deadline using either the GSB Online system or the traditional paper application.”