Star of the Month winner

CONGRATULATIONS to Kildare show jumper Mikey Pender who was voted The Irish Field/Gain Equine Nutrition Star of the Month for February. Mikey won the three-star Grand Prix in Vilamoura, Portugal, last month with HHS Calais. Well done!

Mullingar plays host this weekend to Tour

MULLINGAR Equestrian Centre plays host to the Equijump Pony and Children on Horses Spring Tour today (Saturday), March 25th, while tomorrow (Sunday) the Mullingar Horse League and Rising Star Series qualifiers kick off at the venue.

Fox-Pitt pays tribute as Oratorio bows out

WILLIAM Fox-Pitt’s five-star ride Oratorio died of a suspected heart attack at Lincolnshire Horse Trials in Britain last weekend at the age of 14. Writing on social media, the Olympian said: “He flew the first part of the cross-country course, feeling amazing and making it all seamless.

“But then the worst happened; we were galloping towards the last fence and he collapsed and died from a heart attack. There is no easy way of saying this but it was out of nowhere, he was one minute feeling fantastic and next minute gone, and I have to take consolation from the fact that he did not suffer, there was no indication that anything was untoward and we all have to believe that, with any animal there is always uncertainty.”

CPBS Spring weekend

THE Connemara Pony Society’s Spring Weekend is in full swing with colt inspections kicking off on Thursday and Friday at Creagh Equestrian Centre. This weekend sees the start of the centenary celebrations as the society celebrates 100 years with the Hall of Fame awards taking place on Saturday evening in the Station House Theatre in Clifden. There is an Irish Farrier Shoeing competition at the Clifden show jumping today (Saturday) as well as more colt inspections. On Sunday, the annual stallion parade kicks off at the showgrounds from 12pm.

Save the date for Ballyfoyle Show

PUT it in your diaries now. Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show takes place in Co Kilkenny on Sunday, June 25th next. The show features ridden horses and ponies, working hunter, performance and in-hand youngstock classes. See ‘Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show’ on Facebook for more information.

Clocks changing

DON’T forget the clocks are going forward by one hour at 1am on Sunday, March 26th.