Written by Colin McClelland

The winner is a bay gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of the Dam Ballydoolagh Aimee Sunrise (ISH) and was bred by owner Rory Costigan.

Second was Kilroe Free And Easy (ISH) ridden by Angela Dennehy, owned by Maurice Coleman and bred by Harry Lalor, with third going to Cushlas Skyimp (ISH) ridden by Emma Jackson, owned by the rider and and bred by William Donegan.

Twenty-seven horses took part in the event.

The 5 Year-Old class was won by LEB Lias Jewel (ISH) a bay mare also ridden by Camilla Speirs, and owned and bred by Jo Breheny. The winner is by Limmerick (Holst) out of the LEB Liath (ISH). Twenty horses competed.

In the 4 Year-Old class, David Maher rode Barnadarrig Boy (ISH) to victory. Owned and bred by William Kirwan, the winner is a bay gelding by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BEWB) out of Mark Clover (ISH). Ten horses took part in the class

TRI Equestrian will be providing vouchers totalling €1000 which will be split between the top 6 riders in the EI100 class.  This is in addition to the prize money where the EI100 National Champion can look forward to receiving a cheque for €200.

TRI Equestrian has been sponsoring the TRI Equestrian EI100 series for the past five years, with the leagues seeing over 100 horse/rider combinations taking part.

Charlotte Donovan from TRI Equestrian said “TRI Equestrian are thrilled to be continually involved with Eventing Ireland and excited to sponsor the first EI100 National Championships. We hope the 2015 Championship will be a huge success and that it will continue to grow over the coming years.“

TRI Equestrian is nestled in the Curragh, the heart of horse country in county Kildare. There are two retail outlets, the flagship store on the Curragh beside the racetrack and their recently opened Northern store at the Meadows show grounds, in Lurgan. Equestrian knowledge is a must for all the retail team and they are proud to offer a diverse range of specialist knowledge in equine care across all the equestrian disciplines. Their huge retail range has evolved by listening closely to customers to make sure their range offers value and choice, with a dash of style thrown in for good measure.

TRI Equestrian offers the busy rider the opportunity to browse their extensive online store and have their orders delivered, and a Click & Collect in store option in addition to ordering by phone.

Eventing Ireland would like to thank TRI Equestrian for its continued support by sponsoring the EI100 class at the National Championships.

Entries for the National Championships can be made online via the Eventing Ireland website and close on 1 July.  To qualify for the National Championships, riders and horses will need to be registered with Eventing Ireland and must have successfully completed two events this year (prior to close of entries) in the classes they wish to compete in.  Riders competing in CNC2* classes and above must qualify as per current EI rules.

The winner of the CNC1* Class will be presented with a Berney Bros. Grand Prix Saddle worth €1,550, in addition to prize money from Eventing Ireland.  To win a Berney Bros. Saddle will be a highly coveted incentive to all the riders competing in Eventing Ireland’s most popular class.

Riders can look forward to meeting some of the Berney’s team in the shopping village at Ballindenisk.

Master Saddler Tom Berney said “We are thrilled to sponsor this class at the National Eventing Championships. We’re proud to be the Official Leather Suppliers to Team Ireland Equestrian and offering a saddle to the best of our National Event Riders seemed a perfect fit. This new Grand Prix saddle range has a modern functionality to improve the comfort, balance, and performance of the horse and rider and we hope that this is going to provide our Irish riders with a competitive advantage. We look forward to watching all the action in July. “

Eventing Ireland thanks Berney Bros for their generosity and contribution to the National Championships and looks forward to welcoming them to the National Championships at Ballindenisk in July.

L-R: Aaron McCusker, Cathal Daniels, Roger Casey, Managing Director of Tattersalls Ireland & Rachel Dowley. Photo: Tattersalls

On Wednesday evening, May 27^th at the Welcome Reception for the Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country, the three recipients of the 2015 George Mernagh Memorial Fund Bursaries were announced and presented by Event Director Jean Mitchell and Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey. The winners will each receive a bursary worth €5,000.  The charitable company, The George Mernagh Memorial Fund Limited, was established in memory of the late George Mernagh who had a lifetime interest in equestrian sports and who was   committed to developing these at Tattersalls Ireland. The bursary objectives are:

·         To support youth participation in Irish equestrian sports;

·         To foster national and international sporting competition in Ireland via the provision of equestrian competition and the facilities that support this competition;

·         To contribute to the education and development of all participants involved in any aspect of Irish equestrianism to the highest possible standards.

The 2015 winners are:

Aaron McCusker

Aaron is 36 years of age from Lurgan, Co. Armagh, with a degree in Equine Business Management.

He competed nationally for over 20 years, and has recently upgraded to a Senior National Course Designer with “Show Jumping Ireland” and he is also a Level 2 Horse Sport Ireland Coach, and passionate about his involvement with many equestrian sports.

As well as course designing and building for many SJI Registered Shows, throughout Ireland, Aaron is the current Jumping Course Designer for the Eventing Ireland [Northern Region] National Horse Trials.

He is very keen to gain more experience and see different concepts used outside Ireland, which he could introduce and utilise for the benefits of both Show Jumpers and Eventers.

Aaron aspires to become an FEI International Jumping Course Designer, and the bursary will enable him to travel and attend International shows and events – to assist and learn from top quality Officials. It would also help him to attend FEI seminars and courses to gain the necessary promotion.

He also aims to pass on his knowledge and experience by running ‘course design’ clinics to educate competitors at all levels, on walking courses, understanding distances, etc.

Cathal Daniels

Cathal Daniels is from Loughrea, Co. Galway, is now 18 years old, and is now working full time with horses, in Eventing.

In 2012, Cathal was a member of the Irish Pony Eventing Team, winning both Team and Individual Gold Medals at the Pony European Eventing Championships at Fontainebleau, in France – and was presented with the Irish Field Award for “Young Eventer of the Year”.

In 2013 he moved from Pony to Junior level, winning a Team Gold Medal at the Junior European Championships at Haras d’Jardy, in France.

In 2014, Cathal won another Team Gold Medal – and an Individual Silver Medal – at the FEI Junior European Championships at Bishop Burton, in England, and he received the Captain David Foster Memorial Trophy for the highest placed Irish Junior Rider at Tattersalls, as well as the Irish Field Award for the Young Event Rider of the Year.

Cathal will use his Bursary to have dressage training with Horse Sport Ireland Coach Heike Holstein – and Show Jumping training with Horse Sport Ireland Coach Ian Fearon – to help with his move into the Senior ranks of Eventing at both National and International competitions.

Rachel Dowley

Rachel is 22 years of age, from Carrick-on–Suir, in Co. Kilkenny, is involved with the “Under 25 Group” of Dressage Ireland and is in the 3^rd of 4 years studying English and Psychology at Trinity College, Dublin.

In 2008 and 2009 she was on the HSI Pony High Performance Eventing squad, and from 2010 she has won numerous Dressage Championships in Ireland, and at Hickstead, at various levels.

She has been a working pupil with Anne Marie Dunphy, Ellen Bontje, Conrad Schumacher and Richard Davison and a member of the IURCA Student Riders Nations Cup squad in 2014 and 2015.

Just recently she won the hotly contested “Advanced Medium Championship” at the Dressage Ireland Winter Finals with her talented horse – “CADENS”.

Rachel has already got the necessary qualifications for teaching, HGV licence for transporting horses, Child Protection, First Aid, etc.

As well as riding, Rachel is very involved with coaching and intends to use part of her bursary to help with the education and development of other Irish riders.

She intends to compete in the UK at the BYRDS Home International, later this year – and will offer space in her lorry to other young riders, so that they can also benefit from International participation.

The top four winners in all 14 classes will each be presented with a Bucas Cooler Rug, total value €3,500.

Bucas is the name which is synonymous with technical equine rugs and for good reason.  Bucas has prided itself in creating a collection of technical horse rugs to ensure that your horse is suitably dressed no matter what the weather or occasion.  This great tradition of pioneering “intelligent” horse rugs continues and Bucas product range today includes a greater choice of high performance products than ever before.

Bucas will have a trade stand at the National Championships and you will be able to purchase all your Bucas products there.  In addition, Bucas Rugs can now be bought online via www.bucas.ie

Claire Nulty from Bucas commented: “Bucas is delighted to work with this great new incentive from Eventing Ireland. The National Championships will be right on our doorstep in Ballindenisk and we are extremely happy to come on board as a sponsor.”

Entries for the National Championships can be made online via the Eventing Ireland website and close on 1 July.  To qualify for the National Championships, riders and horses will need to be registered with Eventing Ireland and must have successfully completed two events this year in the classes they wish to compete in.  Riders competing in CNC2* classes and above must qualify as per current EI rules.

Entries are at an all-time record for the upcoming Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair in association with Horse Sport Ireland taking place from May 27^th – 31^st. Twelve Nations will be represented amongst the 364 individual combinations, an increase of 9% from 2014. Entries in both The Irish Field CCI3* and the George Mernagh Memorial CIC3* are up significantly on last year and the new Cooley Farm CCI*YH class has attracted 74 World class entries in the first year of running.

Eight of the World’s Top thirteen riders all hold an entry for Tattersalls including William Fox-Pitt (GB) (currently number 2 in the World), Jonelle Price (NZ), Oliver Townend (GB), Andrew Nicholson (NZ), Sam Griffiths (AUS), Bruce Davidson (USA) and Paul Tapner (AUS). For the first time at Tattersalls we also welcome competitors from Brazil. Hot off the back of his Rolex Kentucky 2^nd place, 2014 winner Tim Price returns to retain his crown after victory at Tattersalls last year.

Commenting on the impressive entries at Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair, Tattersalls Ireland’s Managing Director Roger Casey said;

“We are overwhelmed with the calibre of entries received for the 10^th running of the Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair. The World’s Best Event riders will all converge in Ireland at Tattersalls and gives the public the exciting opportunity to witness the very best competitors of this sport.

The increase of 9% in entry numbers is a testament to the event and how it has grown since its inception in 2006. We look forward to welcoming back the top Irish and International riders to Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair in association with Horse Sport Ireland at the end of May.”

The amateurs have three classes to compete in at events including EI90A, EI100A and CNC1*A.

To fall into amateur qualification, competitors must be at least 18-years-old and currently not use equestrianism as a form of income.

Said Alison Packman of Eventing Ireland: “The series is a fantastic opportunity for true grassroots riders, who usually only have one horse to compete a few times a month.   We are delighted to have TopSpec on board as sponsor of this great series.”

Added Katy Mickle of TopSpec: “Supporting Eventing Ireland’s Amateur League is a very exciting new sponsorship for the brand.  Our range is going from strength to strength across the country and we are looking forward to a fantastic season.”

Amateur members make up around 10 per cent of the total Eventing Ireland competitors and the league is a fantastic way for them to access great venues and courses while competing alongside like-minded riders.

Full details of rules and league venues can be found on the Eventing Ireland website by clicking here

The series consists of five legs during the season in which the overall Series Winner will receive Equest Pramox products plus €500 in prize money for the winner and a rug for the horse.

Eamonn O’Sullivan, CAE Business Manager, Zoetis said “This is the fourth year that Equest Pramox is supporting an Eventing Ireland League and this year we are delighted to sponsor the CNC2*. Irish horses and riders are amongst the best in the world and we hope that our support on home soil will help preparation for future world events. We recognise that horses competing in this discipline are at peak fitness and that maintaining top condition is essential for success. We hope that by increasing awareness of effective worming that we can help competitors achieve and maintain top results”.

The full list of venues is shown below:

Eventing Ireland would like to wish all competitors luck with the series and thank their sponsors for their support.

Full details of the Equest Pramox CNC2* Series can be found on the Eventing Ireland website.

The EI100 Series has grown in popularity and last year saw over 170 horse/rider combinations taking part in the Spring and Autumn Series with an average of 45 entries in a class.

This year there will be just five legs in the series, kicking off at Kedrah Castle on Saturday 14 March and concluding at Grove on Sunday 28 June.

TRI Equestrian will be supplying highly coveted TRI vouchers to the top 6 placed combinations (who must be paid up members of Eventing Ireland).

Anne Marie Lambe from TRI Equestrian spoke about the sponsorship ‘”We are delighted to support the Novice Eventers League and championship for 2015.  Irish Eventing is so competitive and we are already looking forward to the National Championships at Ballindenisk in July.  At TRI Equestrian we strive to support our sport, from grass roots up and the EI100 league and championships, is a natural fit for us.  It is an opportunity for us to give back to the sport and to keep in tune with our customers and their competitive needs.”

TRI Equestrian has Ireland’s largest equestrian retail outlet, with their Superstore in Kildare.  Speaking about their recently opened Northern store Anne Marie said “We now have two retail stores in Ireland, one at the Curragh and the second at the Meadows Equestrian Centre in Lurgan.  So now we have two locations and still one great shopping experience”.

The TRI Equestrian EI100 Series results will be published on the Eventing Ireland website after each leg and the TRI Equestrian EI100 Series rules can be found under the Leagues section of the Eventing Ireland website.

More exciting news regarding the National Championships at Ballindenisk on 11-12 July will follow in due course!

The Eventing Ireland National Championships will see riders competing in all 14 classes from EI90 to CNC3*.  To qualify for the National Championships, riders and horses will need to be registered with Eventing Ireland and must have successfully completed two events this year in the classes they wish to compete in.  Riders competing in CNC2* classes and above must qualify as per current EI rules.

This will be a ‘must do’ event on the eventing calendar and will be a great opportunity for riders at all levels to compete at an event which should see around 400 entries – with the ultimate goal of being National Champion in their class.

The weekend format will see dressage and show jumping taking place on Saturday followed by cross country on Sunday.

On Saturday evening, competitors (and spectators!) can relax a little and look forward to entertainment as well as the usual hospitality found at Ballindenisk, including a full bar.

The entry fees will remain the same and there will be on-site stabling for 150 horses at a reduced rate.

Eventing Ireland Chairman, Georgia Stubington said “I’m delighted that this Championship has been established for the members.  A great opportunity to become the National One Day Champion in each and every level of class we run. It’s a really exciting innovation!”

More information will be announced shortly

The five legs will take place in each region, starting at Gurteen College on Sunday 29 March and concluding at the Kilguiley House event on 9 August.

In addition, Kilguilkey House will give the winner of each leg an embroidered rug with second and third placed riders getting an embroidered saddle cloth.

The Kilguilkey House EI90 League is only open to all registered members and horses of Eventing Ireland – day members will not be eligible for prizes.

Speaking of this new league Kilguilkey’s Danny and Michelle Dulohery said “We are delighted to support the grassroots of the sport and by offering the cross country fences as prizes for the league winner, we hope they will benefit and progress on.

Georgia Stubington, Eventing Ireland Chairman said of the new league “It is wonderful to see an Eventing Ireland venue being so generous.  It’s a fabulous league and great for our members“

Entries to each leg can be made online via the Eventing Ireland website.

Full details of the Kilguilkey House EI90 League can be found under Leagues on the Eventing Ireland website: http://www.eventingireland.com/Leagues/TabId/104/ArtMID/633/ArticleID/642/Kilguilkey-House-EI90-League.aspx

Members can vote easily online by visiting the Eventing Ireland website or clicking HERE.  Simply log in to vote and vote once per member.

Closing date is Friday 30 January and the winners will be announced at the Eventing Ireland AGM on Thursday 5 February.