Walsh voted Star of

the Month for January

MANY congratulations to Donegal show jumping rider Ben Walsh who was voted by the public as the winner of The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for January 2023. Well done Ben!

Editor of Irish Farmers Journal appointed

DR Jack Kennedy has been appointed as editor of the Irish Farmers Journal. A native of Tipperary, Jack, previously served as the paper’s deputy editor, and has been with the Irish Farmers Journal for almost 20 years.

TAMS information

TAMS is now open to the equine sector, see Horse Sense pages 76-77 to find out what you may be entitled to claim for under this scheme.

Che Fantastica on the

move to Michael Duffy

GALWAY show jumper Michael Duffy has added the 14-year-old mare Che Fantastica to his stable. By Check In 2, she was ridden for her entire international career, up to 1.60m five-star level, by Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt. It is understood the mare has been purchased for Duffy to ride by Hibernian Sport Horses Ltd who also recently purchased the 14-year-old grey mare Cinca S who was clear for Ireland in the Nations Cup of Sharjah. Duffy made his debut with Che Fantastica in Doha on Thursday, jumping clear with a time fault in the 1.45m.

Mackenzie appointment

PLUSVITAL announced the appointment of Heather Mackenzie as Sales Manager for Ireland. Heather joined Plusvital in August 2022 and has been actively building and developing relationships with Plusvital clients and retail partners across Ireland.

Originally from Cheltenham, Heather has a wealth of knowledge having studied equine management at Hartpury College and has worked in the industry for almost 20 years.

Clarecastle Show date

CLARECASTLE Show announced the date for this year’s show as Saturday, July 29th. There will also be a change of venue. The new show site is just 1km away in Clarecastle, near the M18 motorway.

David Foster Ball tribute

SNEEZY Foster of The David Foster Injured Riders Fund stated this week: “On behalf of the David Foster Injured Riders Fund Committee, I would like to thank our main sponsors Gain Equine Nutrition, Lightsource Bp and Bit-Media.com for their support and everyone who sponsored a table, raffle price and supported the ball, we hope you enjoyed the night as much as we did!

Full coverage on pages 92-93.

Leinster TREC webinar

LEINSTER Trec is organising a webinar entitled ‘How horses learn’ on Friday, March 3rd at at 7.30pm, presented by Barbara Hardman, Equine Behaviourist. Booking through https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/lentrec

Blazers on film

NOEL Mullins, author and hunting correspondent with The Irish Field, and photographer/videographer Ken O’Mahony have been busy filming the Galway Blazers with preview clips available to view on ‘Horsin Around’. They are producing a documentary on the pack which should be finished next month.

Table Quiz fundraiser

CHARLOTTE Moore’s ‘Gobi Gallop’ fundaising drive is in full swing with an upcoming table quiz next Saturday, March 4th at 7.30pm at Glenavy Methodist Church.

The ‘Gobi Gallop’, which Charlotte takes part in on a totally self-funded basis, is a 700-kilometre endurance ride over 10 days in Mongolia, in aid of the Veloo Foundation. ILDRA have just made a very generous donation of £1,000 towards her Gobi Gallop fundraiser.

Hunt Ball sell out

ALMOST 300 people will attend the North Kerry Harriers Hunt Ball tonight (Saturday) at The Listowel Arms Hotel. Visitors from Limerick, Clare, Cork and the Tipperary hunt clubs will be in attendance at the event.

Offaly Pony Club event

OFFALY Pony Club ran a successful Jump Cross training event at Emerald EC over the last few weeks. IPC members from Offaly, Newcastle Lyons, Westmeath and Kildare took part.