THE Irish Sport Horse Studbook and Eventing Ireland have announced the dates and venues for the 2017 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Eventing Series.

This year the four-year-old series will consist of four events, with scores from all legs to count in the league. The five and six-year-old series will consist of six events, with all legs to count in the league. In addition, the five- and six-year-old pony classes will be run over all six legs with all scores to count.

Alison Corbally, director of breeding and programmes in Horse Sport Ireland stated: "We are delighted to reintroduce an eventing league for 2017. The feedback from breeders, producers and riders was overwhelming in favour of such a league in preference to a championship class.

"I am particularly pleased to see the inclusion of a pony league series this year, as it is very compatible with the promotion of the Irish Sport Pony Studbook within Horse Sport Ireland. The aim of the league, is to further assist in the progressive production of young event horses and ponies within the country.

"We wish all the producers and riders the best of luck through the series this year."

Eligibility Criteria

All horses registered in the Irish Horse Register with the breed code ISH and sire and dam documented on their passport, are eligible to compete. Ponies must be registered with a DAFM approved studbook.

To check if your horse is eligible to compete please contact Nadia Rea in Horse Sport Ireland (Tel: 045 854543, Email: nrea@horsesportireland.ie)

All horses must be fully paid up and registered with Eventing Ireland with a naming page of the passport sent to Head Office prior to the entry being made.

If the horse does not meet the eligibility requirements, they will be moved to the equivalent class, or can be refunded if required.

Riders may compete on a day ticket at EI90 and EI100 only. Riders must be fully paid up members of Eventing Ireland to compete at CNC1* class.

The ISH Eventing Series will begin at the inaugural Punchestown event on Sunday May 7th and entries can be made online now.

The prize fund on offer from Horse Sport Ireland for each leg of the series and will be in addition to Eventing Ireland prize money. Eventing Ireland prize money will be paid as per the Eventing Ireland Rule 7.2 Please note, prize winners will be required to attend the official prize giving at the event.

ISH Eventing Series Venues 2017

Date Venue ISH Eventing Classes

7 May Punchestown (SL) 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo Ponies

18 June Annaharvey 1 (SL) 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo Ponies

25 June Grove 1 (MR) 4, 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo Ponies

2 September Loughanmore (NR) 4, 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo Ponies

9 September Tattersalls 4, 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo Ponies

17 September Lisgarvan (SL) Final 4, 5 & 6yo Horses and 5 & 6yo ponies