EVENTING Ireland undertook a major revamp of its website over the winter and, in addition, has made a number of rule changes for the 2023 season.

In common with other equestrian organisations here and in Great Britain, EI has stipulated that all hats must be retagged for 2023 as the PAS 015 1998 and SNELL 2001 are no longer permitted. The new EI hat tags are red (for non-peaked hats) and red and white (for peaked hats used in dressage and show jumping).

All competitors and, in fact, anyone assisting them at an event, are advised to read the updated rule book but other major changes/additions include:

    • The wearing of an incorrect bib number could warrant a verbal warning for a first offence with a fine of €20/£20 or a yellow card being issued for a second offence.
    • During any warm-up or training session, athletes or grooms may wear only one earphone while mounted. Earphones and/or other electronic communication devices (i.e. mobile phone) – with the exception of medical devices such as hearing aids, etc – are strictly prohibited in all competition arenas and such usage will be penalised by elimination.
    • Combinations exceeding 20 jumping penalties in the show jumping phase will be eliminated. For classes where the jumping test is before the cross-country test, an athlete incurring 20 or more jumping penalties during the jumping test will not be authorised to start in the cross-country test.
    • Competitors, or anyone involved in handling a horse, must never ill-treat or abuse a horse in any way whatsoever. Any instances involving a non-member, i.e. a groom, will result in sanctions being imposed on the competitor. Any occurrences of abuse of the horse will automatically incur a Disciplinary Action.
    • Minimum Eligibility Requirements obtained in the previous 4.5 years are counted (previously it was eight years).
    • There is no longer a limit to the number of course changes on any one day. However, event organisers must consider the time of year/number of daylight hours and the number of expected entries to ensure the event finishes whilst there is good light.

    • No doubt that last-mentioned change was introduced to cater for the new training classes at EI80, EI90 and EI100 levels and their Grassroots championship.

    Two new venues come on stream this year with Michael McNally and family welcoming EI to Clonmahon House, Summerhill, Co Meath, on April 15th and June 10th. Up in the Northern Region, Becky and Declan Cullen will be opening the doors to The Clare, Gilford, on Saturday, July 8th. The Northern Region will also be hosting the National Championships at Castle Irvine, Necarne, over the weekend of September 9th and 10th.