Margaret Fagan RIP
MARAGARET Fagan of Mullingar Equestrian passed away peacefully on April 3rd surrounded by her devoted family at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, at the age of 91. A post on the Mullingar EC social media described it as the end of an era following the passing of “the heart of our family”. As well as her love for horses and her role as an SJI judge, Mrs Fagan also loved golfing, gardening, and was an avid poker player. Beloved wife of the late Edward Joseph, she will be lovingly missed by her children Declan, Denis, Dorothy (O’Keeffe), Laura (Drumm), David, Robert and Mark, and her grandchildren Elaine, Carole, Ciara, Amy, Anita, Conor, Shane, James, Charlie, Anna, Eoghan, Ruairi, Roisín, Alanna, Ted, Robyn and Chloe, as well as in-laws, relatives and many friends. Margaret was laid to rest in Walshestown Cemetery, Co Westmeath, on Wednesday. May she rest in peace.
Swail and Sweetnam in world’s top 10
THERE are two Irish show jumpers in the world’s top 10 of the Longines FEI rankings. Conor Swail has moved back up one place to fifth, having slipped to sixth last month, while Co Cork’s Shane Sweetnam has moved up to eighth place from 14th. For the ninth consecutive month, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann remains as world number one, ahead of Frenchman Julien Epaillard at number two and Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs in third.
Latest from FEI World Cup in Omaha
THE Longines FEI World Cup in underway in Omaha, USA, where Irish show jumper Denis Lynch lies in 17th place after the first two rounds. Riding Brooklyn Heights, he was pathfinder in Wednesday’s first round and produced a steady clear, before picking up four faults in Thursday’s second competition. Daniel Coyle is in 28th place with Legacy after finishing with two fences down on Wednesday and 12 faults on Thursday. Currently leading the standings is Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer and Denmark’s Andreas Schou. The top 30 go through to tonight’s final where the World Cup champion will be crowned.
€5,000 prize fund for Waterford-Tipp amateur league
THE Waterford-Tipperary SJI Amateur committee has launched its 2023 amateur league in conjunction with Mackey Ireland with a total prize fund of €5,000. Kicking off on April 30th on Francis Connors’ hometurf of Ballylawn, Kill, Co Waterford, the league will consist of seven legs run over the summer at local Waterford/Tipperary shows and gymkhanas. The league will culminate in a final in Tipperary Equestrian in September. Open to amateurs from all regions, each leg will have prizes in kind from Mackey Ireland to the total value of €500.
Riders will compete in a league table format, with points earned from show placings (one to six) to count. Riders must compete in at least two shows to be eligible for prizes in the final. In addition, there will be a separate standalone prize for the leading A and AA riders for total accumulated points over the course of the league on Finals Day.
TRI Equestrian sponsorship
TRI Equestrian is continuing their support of children and adolescents in equitation over the coming year. After a successful partnership with Equestrian Interschools Ireland, TRI will be the main sponsor of the fun minimus and tetrathlon day at Punchestown on May 14th, in collaboration with Kildare Hunt Pony Club. There will be plenty of prizes up for grabs and a few past pony club riders who can offer encouragement to the future sport stars. Keep an eye out for the entry opening date and all pony club members are invited to enter.
IDHBA elect officers
THE Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association held their AGM last Sunday and the following officers were deemed elected: Robert Draper from Kildare (chairman), Brian Murphy from Kilkenny (vice chairman), Sharon Mannion from Westmeath (Hon Secreatary), Gerard Murphy from Cork (Hon Treasurer), Kitty Cotter from Cork (President).