THE 2021 Dressage Ireland season got under way on Sunday, February 28th, with shows at Greenogue (Leinster Region) and Sceilig Equestrian (South Munster Region), and it continued right through until Sunday, December 12th when the Leinster Region was back at Greenogue to stage the finals of the Horse Sport Ireland autumn development series.

Regional committees deserve great praise for running shows with all the Covid-19 restrictions and protocols in place. “There was a certain amount of insecurity early on due to the unpredictable nature of the pandemic,” commented DI chairperson Marguerite Kavanagh, “and it was June 7th before the sport fully opened up to those competing in the amateur and youth categories.

“In March, judges’ training webinars, which were open to all members, provided a good insight into judges’ perspectives, correctly ridden tests and provided a focus for riders and judges while our sport was still in restricted mode. To complicate matters further, the outbreak of the Equine Herpes Virus also needed navigating. Another initiative forced on us was an AGM over Zoom. For an organisation with only one part-time office person, supported by volunteers, it provided its challenges but proved successful.

“Navigating a way around Covid restrictions took some careful consideration and inventiveness. The Winter Championships ran over two days in two different locations, Greenogue and Ballindenisk, but, with the easing of restrictions, the Regional committees swung into action.

“The decision not to send a qualified team to the Tokyo Olympics was met with bewilderment and extreme disappointment by the membership, particularly in light of the fact that in its 32 years of existence Dressage Ireland’s sole aim was to send a team to represent the country at an Olympics. However, Heike Holstein’s ability to earn herself an individual slot on her home-bred Sambuca lifted members’ spirits.

“The National Championships took place in late September at Barnadown. HSI kindly came on board as title sponsors, supported by Equisolv. Despite the slow start to the year, 650 tests were ridden at the Championships. The Grand Prix was contested by five combinations with Dane Rawlins being crowned National Champion for the first time on Espoire.

“The creation of a new website on a budget also posed some teething problems but these are currently being addressed. Additional training is being offered to regional users to allow more ease around putting up schedules/results. Given a little more time, the new website will allow us use this technology to our best advantage.

“We, as an organisation, are particularly appreciative of the sponsorship from HSI, all our other sponsors and the many volunteers who help to support Irish dressage. The input from regional committees and the Board of Dressage Ireland has been phenomenal and I feel privileged to work with such a dedicated bunch of people who volunteer day in day out to ensure that members can compete, train and enjoy their sport,” Kavanagh added.