DRESSAGE Ireland’s Winter Finals are returning to the national calendar this season, following a two-year break due to Covid-19, and will take place at Castle Irvine, Necarne over the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd.

Details regarding the qualifying scores for each grade can be found on the organisation’s Facebook page but it should be noted that all riders and horses/ponies must be registered with DI for 2022 and that qualifying scores must, in the main, have been achieved at DI regional shows between September 13th 2021 and March 20th 2022.

For DI members based across the Irish Sea, scores can be achieved during the same time frame at affiliated shows in Britain and para riders must have their para grading to compete in a para class.

Although just one DI regional show has been staged so far this year, three are taking place this weekend and there will be at least one show each weekend in the run-up to the Finals. While entries for Castle Irvine, Necarne close at midnight on Saturday, March 12th, competitors can achieve qualifying scores up until Sunday, March 20th. Should they not achieve the qualifying scores they will be refunded in full.

The 2019 Winter Finals were held in Cavan Equestrian where Carrick-On-Suir’s Rachel Dowley won three championships – the Intermédiare I on Cadens, the Novice, Category 3 with Insticator B.S. and the Preliminary, Category 3 on Just A Ball B.S. The Prix St Georges was won by Anne Marie Dunphy riding Her Highness Willow.

Since being relaunched as an equestrian facility by its new owners and management, Castle Irvine, Necarne has hosted affiliated regional dressage shows, show jumping competitions and horse and pony shows and, last August, the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland held a very successful one-day event at the Co Fermanagh estate.