Passing of Jean Pim

WELL-KNOWN in sales, racing, breeding and equestrian worlds, Jean Pim died on Thursday morning at Portlaoise Hospital. Pre-deceased in 2010 by her husband, David, she was mother of Tattersalls and Tattersalls Ireland auctioneer Alastair. Together with David, the couple founded and ran Anngrove Stud in Mountmellick, while David also became one of the founding auctioneers at Ballsbridge Sales, later Tattersalls Ireland, a company for which Jean was a welcoming figure for many decades. She was also hugely involved in the world of eventing, taking on many roles. William Micklem described Jean as an exceptional chef d’équipe of the junior and young rider event teams. Jean is survived by her daughter Ruthie, sons Alastair and Christopher, by Martin, Gillian, Louise and Anna, grandchildren Josh, Hannah, Sophie, Reuben, Noah, Alastair, Rebecca and Sam, and her great-grandchildren Alfie and Ely. A Quaker service will take place at 1pm today, Saturday May 11th, at 1pm in Rosenallis Church of Ireland (Eircode R32 D899) following a private burial earlier in the Rosenallis Quaker sleeping ground. A full appreciation will be published next week.

High Court proceedings initiated

STUDBOOK Development Ireland Ltd, trading as the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland, has initiated High Court proceedings against Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the Irish Horse Board (IHB) and a number of named individuals, who either currently or formerly worked for or served on those bodies. They include current HSI chair, Michael Dowling; HSI CEO, Denis Duggan; HSI head of breeding, innovation and development, Sonja Egan; IHB director general Alison Corbally; former HSI CEO Ronan Murphy; former HSI Chairman Joseph Reynolds; former interim chair of HSI, Jim Beecher; and Jack Murphy, former director of IHB. The Irish Field understands the statement of claim pertains to alleged exclusionary policies against Warmblood owners and breeders and alleged anti-competitive activities against the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland. WSI has previously brought grievances about infringements of competition law to the European Commission and in 2021 was successful in gaining intervention from the Commission that led to the studbooks administered by HSI being let out to tender (a tender HSI won) and to the studbook series show jumping classes being opened to Irish Warmblood horses. The Irish Field will follow the case.

Passing of Nora Cullen

SHOWJUMPING Ireland (SJI) were deeply saddened this week as the passing was announced of Nora Cullen. Nora had worked with SJI since 2016 and, during her time, she had become office coordinator within the head office. Nora played a vital role in supporting the sport during the Covid pandemic and was deeply involved in the restarting of show jumping activity. During her time, she was involved with most aspects of the organisation and supported both management and finance and executive committees with their duties. Many members would have been assisted by her during busy registration periods, as would many shows, who would have sought assistance. She had a very strong work ethic and put a huge effort into her role. She will be deeply missed by her fellow staff members both past and present and the many SJI committee members she worked with. SJI extends its condolences to her family and friends in their loss.

AIRC chair elected

FOLLOWING a meeting of the Board of Directors on Tuesday night, Louise Duffy has become the first female chairperson of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs (AIRC).

Duffy first joined the Association in 2003 and is currently a member of Copperfield Riding Club in Dublin. She has been an active member, having volunteered at many events, has previously been a club and regional secretary, and currently enjoys being a showing judge.

Mosstown member Ann Bloomer took on the role of Vice Chairperson.