DRESSAGE enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to in the upcoming few weeks, starting next Saturday and Sunday with the Dressage Ireland national winter finals at Castle Irvine, Necarne, an event being sponsored by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

“Dressage Ireland are delighted to host the national dressage winter finals in the beautiful parkland setting of the Castle Irvine Estate,” said DI’s chairperson, Marguerite Kavanagh. “Castle Irvine lends itself to a very suitable venue for dressage with lovely surfaces for horses to work on and courtyard stabling, while the very impressive and spacious walled garden provides the perfect backdrop for dressage. The indoor arena, catering, parking and various other facilities make it an excellent choice of venue.”

Competitors, owners and support personnel from all over the country will be in attendance for the weekend when there will be both national and international judges assessing the action.

Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival

The two-day Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival takes place over the May bank holiday weekend at Ard Chuain Equestrian Centre, Co Sligo. The format of the show remains the same with championships being decided by combined scores over two days of competition. This year a panel of six judges will be in attendance, including four list one judges, two of which are flying in from the UK.

This year’s event will be supporting the Irish Cancer Society with a charity auction on the Saturday night. Organiser Simone Hession commented: “I’m delighted we can hold the Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival again this year. The interest in WADF 2022 is quite amazing and the support it has already received from sponsors is overwhelming. It also would not be possible without everyone who has volunteered their time in the preparation and for the weekend of WADF. I’m looking forward to welcoming everyone near and far back to the West for this very special show.”

Follow the Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival Facebook page for regular updates.