Holstein’s Sambuca sold

HEIKE Holstein announced the sale of her home-bred mare Sambuca this week. The 13-year-old mare has been sold to America and will be seen in the future under Tracy Kelley. By Samarant, Sambuca was bred by Holstein out of the Limmerick-sired Astoria and produced up through the ranks, all the way to the Tokyo Olympics, by her breeder.

Announcing the news, Heike said: “I am so proud of her and all we have achieved together. To train and ride a horse that is home-bred all the way to the Olympics was a dream come true for me. I wish her lovely new owners the very best of luck and I hope to see them on the international stage soon. Thank you to everyone who has supported us!”

Dressage team for Worlds

HORSE Sport Ireland Dressage High Performance director, Johann Hinnemann, named his squad for the ECCO FEI Dressage World Championships which take place in Herning, Denmark from August 6th to 10th. The squad is Alex Bake (Dutchman), Sorrell Klatzko (Turbo), Abigail Lyle (Giraldo or Farrell) and Anna Merveldt (Esporim). Dane Rawlins (Espoire) is the non-travelling reserve. Hinnemann said: “My programme design is simple, I want to encourage talented home grown athletes into dressage top sport and compete on the world stage.”

Blake names Worlds’ team

IRELAND’S chef d’equipe Michael Blake has chosen an experienced quintet of Darragh Kenny (VDL Cartello), Daniel Coyle (Legacy), Cian O’Connor (C Vier 2), Denis Lynch (Brooklyn Heights) and Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro) for the 2022 ECCO FEI World Championships. Trevor Breen (Highland President) is the non-travelling reserve.

“I believe we can get a great result at the World Championship; I think we’ll certainly be in contention to win a medal,” Blake said. “We have been building towards this and have had four Nations Cups wins. It has been a very good year so far and I’m looking forward to the team going out there and performing well.”

Pony Club jumping

BEFORE the team jumping started last Saturday at The Meadows, Area 17 staged its qualifier for the Mini Major competition which takes place at Christmas during the London International Horse Show. There, eight Pony Club 128cms riders are paired with an international rider for a relay competition. Ten combinations took part in Saturday’s qualifier and as was the case last year, two Iveagh members secured their tickets for London. The winner, who was clear in 39.80 seconds, was Juliana Nelson riding her mother Jillian’s 13-year-old Grade A gelding Cumbak Kid. Her teammate Mebd Kinney recorded a steady clear in 43.47 to place second on Leiiaish Lady Penelope.