TIHA Mare Scheme open

THE Traditional Irish Horse Association Performance Mare Scheme is now open for 2023 applications. The scheme is designed to give financial recognition to breeders who breed from quality traditionally bred mares capable of producing top quality TIH foals with performance potential. Breeders will receive €300 on registration of qualifying foals. An additional outcross supplement of €200 may also be payable.

The mare or her progeny must have competed to 1.30m in show jumping, three-star eventing or have direct family competing at that level. The aire of the foal must be (a) Approved or (b) NA 1 in the Irish Sport Horse studbook. The foal produced must be registered in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook and designated as a Traditional Irish Horse by Horse Sport Ireland.

Interested breeders should submit details of qualifying mares to the TIHA via https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/tiha. For further information on conditions of entry visit the TIHA Facebook page or contact breeding@traditionalirishhorseassociation.ie. The closing date for 2023 applications is April 2nd.

IFJ breeders’ webinar

THE Irish Farmers Journal sport horse breeding webinar takes place on Wednesday, March 22nd at 8pm. Helen Sharp seeks clarification on TAMS III with Minister of State Martin Heydon and technical advisor Robert Leonard, as well as Patrick Hester and Michael Doherty. In part two of the webinar, Helen will be joined by Marion Hughes and Oonagh Kennedy on how to retain and support young breeding and riding talent in Ireland.

Star of the Month vote

DON’t forgot to vote for you The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for February. The nominees are Bertram Allen, Jessica Burke, Mikey Pender and Conor Swail. Visit www.theirishfield.ie/star to vote.

Stallions Guide deadline

THE Irish Horse World Stallions Guide 2023 will be published in The Irish Field on Saturday, April 1st. to advertise your stallion, contact the advertising team on adverts@theirishfield.ie or call 01 4051166.

Top riders injured

GERMAN show jumper Philipp Weishaupt is out of action after breaking his foot while playing with his dog.

The five-star Grand Prix winner had his foot operated on last week and will be out for up to six weeks. The injury comes just two weeks after his boss, Ludgar Beerbaum, fractured his thigh in Doha meaning the Riesenbeck International team are down their two leading jockeys.

Also out of action after a fall at home – not from a horse – is British Olympic dressage rider Carl Hester who was forced to withdraw from the CDI3* at Addington International this week.