Allen scores WEF five-star double

BERTRAM Allen won the five-star WEF Challenge Grand Prix qualifier on Thursday afternoon in Wellington, Florida. Allen was one of just three riders to make it through to the jump-off with Aiden McGrory’s Irish Sport Horse gelding Pacino Amiro (Pacino x NC Amiro) and the pair’s second round clear in 36.84 seconds was almost two seconds faster than runner-up Darragh Kenny, also for Ireland, with Vlock Show Stables’ Chic Chic (0/0 38.65).

It was the second five-star win in as many days for Allen who won the 1.45m a day earlier with the Ballywalter Stables and Maximillan Lill-owned nine-year-old gelding Edison de Hus. Jordan Coyle finished in fourth with Centriko Volo, ahead of Darragh Kenny in fifth place with Vancouver Dreams.

Cold weather notice

MINISTER for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D. (FF) has advised farmers and horse owners to take extra care of farm animals and horses during this spell of cold weather around the country. “It is important that owners take steps to protect stock from extreme weather conditions that may arise over the coming days.”

The Minister said it is important that all animals have free access to water. Advice includes checking supplies of drinking water daily, and surface ice broken on troughs twice per day; additional forage if needed; ensure access to shelter; avoid poaching of pasture; if an equine rug is used for a horse, ensure the rug fits correctly and inspect regularly.

Stallions Guide

THE Irish Horse World Stallions Guide 2023 will be published in The Irish Field on Saturday, April 1st. To advertise your stallion, contact the advertising team on adverts@theirishfield.ie or call 01 4051166.

Connemara Pony Sales one-day sale

THE next Connemara Pony Sales at the Clifden mart in Co Galway is on Saturday, April 1st. The catalogue includes 65 geldings, 55 mares, 40 fillies, 16 colts and three stallions. Visit www.connemaraponysales.com for more information.

Tyrella two-phase postponed

THE Tyrella two-phase event scheduled for this weekend has been postponed to next Saturday, March 18th. A notice from organiser Dora Beacom on Friday read: “With a lot of fresh snow overnight, conditions on the roads are hazardous at the moment.

“There is heavy frost forecast for tonight and that, together with the fact that gritters are on strike, have made us decide to move the two-phase to next Saturday, March 18th.

“I will carry all entries forward unless you advise me that you were not competing. If next Saturday does not suit, please let me know.”

Susan Oakes wins at Skijordue Festival

CO Meath rider Susan Oakes recently retained the title as Skijor champion when winning the Alpine Lounge race at the 2023 Skijordue Festival in Calgary, Canada. North America’s fastest-growing winter sport, Skijoring consists of a horse pulling a skier over obstacles through the snow at breakneck speeds of up to 65km per hour. Oakes and Barry O’Brien Lynch led the Irish team to success beating over 100 competitors.

Oakes said: “I’m so thrilled and proud to have won at this year’s Skiijor tournament. We returned to Calgary as reigning champions, not the underdog like in 2020, so the other competitors really brought their best game. All the training and hard work has paid off and I’m glad to share the magic of skijor and other equestrian and winter sports to everyone back home.”

Lost sunglasses

A PAIR of brown sunglasses were found in The Palmer North Golf Club at The K Club after the Irish Horse World Awards on Tuesday. If anyone has misplaced them, please email horseworld@theirishfield.ie.