SJI appeals for help for Ukraine

THE SJI is reaching out to the Irish equestrian community in a bid to fund an articulated trailer carrying vital supplies of feed, forage and bedding to help the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation.

A haulier has kindly offered to provide the truck, trailer and the drivers to transport this vital aid from SJI to the designated hub.

People can donate online via www.sji.ie. Log in via the ‘mysji’ tab and the option to donate is located in ‘my shopping cart’. You can also donate through a gofundme.com page, search ‘Showjumpingireland Ukrainian appeal’.

Stallion Show

CAVAN Equestrian’s Stallion Show & Equine Expo takes place next Sunday, March 27th at 12 noon with doors opening at 11am. Last-minute bookings for stallions and trade stands can be made at www.cavanequestrian.com.

Cavan’s Stuart Clarke said: “The event promises to have something for everyone; stallions to stabling, fencing to feeds, trucks to trailers, stable bedding to arena surfaces and all other equine accessories. Enjoy a day out with everything equine and a meal at Boomerangs Restaurant.”

Open Day

A FINAL reminder that Diamond’s Equine Renvyle is hosting its Open Day and Launch tomorrow (Sunday, March 20th) from 2pm-6pm at Renvyle, Connemara and all are welcome to attend.

Registration is at 1.30pm. Sport horse breeder Mary McCann of Hartwell Stud will launch the Connemara Pony National Stud with blessing by Fr Christy McCormack. There will be talks by veterinary surgeon Dara Larkin and Carstown Stud’s Peter Meehan and Fernville Connemara Pony Stud’s Jimmy Canavan.

In addition to great music, food and prizes, there will be a stallion exhibition and dressage and show jumping demonstrations by Alana Cazabon and Talitha Diamond.

Silver Skippy

SAD news reached us this week of the death of Fintan Flannelly and Alva Gunne’s wonderful Irish Draught mare Silver Skippy.

The 2003 daughter of Silver Granite, bred by Flannelly out of Huntingfields Silver Lass (by Skippy), epitomised the versatility of the breed while giving immense pleasure to Gunne who campaigned the grey with great enthusiasm in open company and Riding Club activities.

“She was truly a joy to ride,” said Gunne, “and won ribbons and sashes in many disciplines – working hunter, ridden hunter, show jumping, dressage, hunter trials and endurance. In 2011, she was the recipient of the ‘Leading Irish Draught performance horse of the year award’ following on from her crowning moment of winning the performance Irish Draught class at the RDS that August.

“It was so rewarding for Fintan to see her perform as she did as, while he is a great believer in conformation, he also puts an emphasis on temperament and the importance it plays in breeding for the amateur market.”

Loose training

THE Connemara Pony Breeders Society (CPBS) is hosting day two of its loose jumping ‘training’ days for registered Connemara Ponies today (Saturday, March 19th) at The Showgrounds, Clifden, from 2pm-5pm. Entry is free and no booking is required. An arena party will be on site to assist negotiating a loose jumping laid out as per the upcoming inspections and competitions.

Hunter Trials

THE Kildare Hunt Club hosts its Hunter Trials tomorrow (Sunday, March 20th) at Punchestown for open pairs, open singles, novice pairs, novice singles. More information on their Facebook page.

IHB AGM

THE annual general meeting of the Irish Horse Board Co-Operative Society takes place on March 28th at Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, Co Westmeath at 7.30pm.