McEvoy Star of the Month

MANY congratulations to talented young show jumping rider Niamh McEvoy, voted by the public as the winner of the Gain Equine Nutrition/The Irish Field Star of the Month award for May. Well done, Niamh!

Ballyfoyle on this Sunday

BALLYFOYLE show is tomorrow (Sunday), featuring showing competitions with beautiful trophies and sashes, and fabulous prize funds. There’s show jumping competitions with terrific prize money in each arena. All support welcome for this charity event which is running for the last 27 years. More details on Facebook.

Clarification of authorship

IT has been brought to our attention that in a quote published in an article (‘Rumours of Massive Legal Costs are not True - Duggan’), published on June 4th last, the recognition and authorship of ‘The Contribution of the Sport Horse Industry to the Irish Economy, 2017’ report was not fully attributed correctly. Alison F. Corbally was the researcher and first author of this report with UCD’s Prof. Alan Fahey as supporting author. We are happy to set the record straight on same.

Rotterdam Nations Cup

AS we went to press yesterday, the Longines FEI Nations Cup at Rotterdam got under way, live on RTE 2, compered by Brendan McArdle and Hugh Cahill, and presented by Ruby Walsh in studio with panellist Kildare international Nicola FitzGibbon. Report next week as to how chef d’equipe Michael Blake’s team of Daniel Coyle (Legacy), Denis Lynch (Brooklyn Heights), Trevor Breen (Highland President) and Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz)(ISH) fared in this series’ points-scorer for Ireland.

Ballina Agricultural Show

BALLINA Agricultural Show takes place on Sunday, July 10th and all are welcome. There’s horse and pony show jumping with entries on SJI Live. The JD 1.10m speed class with 1.30m optional joker offers €3,000 in prize money. The show organisers are grateful to all their sponsors.

Chacco Kid retired

ERIC Lamaze announced the retirement of 16-year-old Chacco Kid (OLD) (Chacco Blue x Come On) after sustaining a check ligament injury while competing at Spruce Meadows in the 1.50m ATB Cup.

Kildalton Family Open Day

KILDALTON Collage celebrates 50 years in education, hosting a family open day today (Saturday) with free admission to all from 11am - 4pm. The equine unit demonstrations include Dressage: Rosemary Gaffney and Emily Kate Robinson (11am-12); Side saddle: Faith Ponsonby and her riders (12-1pm); Show jumping: Comdt Geoff Curran (1.30pm – 3.30pm); Arena Eventing: Kate Solon, Ruth Burke and Niamh Kirwin (2.30pm – 3.30pm). The native breeds corner including Irish Draught mare and foal, Connemara pony mare and foal and a Kerry Bog pony mare and foal. There will be also be historical and horticultural talks, walks, sheep shearing, tractor-driving competitions and a brilliant Kidz Corner, including ‘Sammy’, Kildalton’s new riding simulator.

Kernan names squads

JAMES Kernan named his Gain Equine Nutrition squads for the FEI European Youth Show Jumping Championships U21 (Young Rider), U18 (Juniors) and U14 (Children), at Oliva, Spain (July 11th - 17th).

The U21 squad is: Harry Allen (Francis 146 or Over Lux); Jason Foley (Clyde VA or Cnoc Rua Chinook); Max Wachman (Dorette or Quintini); Seamus Hughes-Kennedy (Cuffesgrange Cavadora); Ciaran Nallon (Dolce Vita Des Ouches). The U18 squad is: Francis Derwin (Whiterock Cruise Down); Niamh McEvoy (Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick); Tom Wachman (HH Fireball or Urvoso Du Roch); Conor McLaughlin (Kilbarron Rue); Rhys Williams (Cowboy Balou). The U14 squad is: Annie Boland (The Hurricane); Jamie Clarke (Coumroe Special); Alanna Fagan (Bella M); Cian McMunn (Captain Marko); Robert Russel (Ballyrobin Nimmerdor). The non-travelling reserves are U14/COH: Alice Moloney (Cosima), Brid Ryan (Drombane Foxy Lady); U18/Juniors: Alex Finney (Absolutely Kingmar Z) and U21/Young Riders: Orla Queally (Gentleman Time).