22 December 2022 - Flipbook - Page 86
86
HORSEWEEK
FARMWEEK
DECEMBER 22 2022
Irish Minister Heydon
announces investment in
equine skills simulators
I
RISH Minister of State
at the Department of
Agriculture, Food and
the Marine with special
responsibility for Farm
Safety, Martin Heydon T.D.
has announced investment
in three equestrian training
simulators
at
Teagasc
Kildalton
College
at
Piltown, County Kilkenny.
The
simulators
will
assist students in the
development
of
safe
equestrian skills for riding
and training horses. Two of
the simulators are targeted
towards riding skills on the
flat, while the third is for
jumping training.
Speaking at the launch
of the simulators, Minister
Heydon said: “Our equine
industries are something
we can be very proud
of. They make a huge
contribution
to
rural
communities and are an
intrinsic part of our culture
and heritage. However,
there are unique risks when
it comes to working with
horses. These simulators
represent a significant
commitment
by
my
Department and Teagasc to
ensuring that people in the
equine industry get the best
opportunity to develop
their skills early in their
careers, while also catering
for
more
experienced
riders who want to improve
their skills.”
A survey into equinerelated injuries shows that
over two-thirds of equine
related injuries occur due
to falling from a horse. The
early development of safe
riding skills is a key action
Spectacular Christmas
Shopping at Old Mill Saddlery
EQUINE SKILLS SIMULATORS: Martin Heydon T.D., Irish Minister of State at the
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Farm
Safety, pictured at Teagasc Kildalton College at Piltown, County Kilkenny, after announcing
investment in three equestrian training simulators. (FW51-511NN)
to reduce the incidence
of injuries in the equine
industry, particularly for
those who break and ride
horses in training.
Minister Heydon added:
“Where possible, we must
minimise the risk of injury
and these equine simulators
will allow for training
in a safe environment
before students move to
undergoing
instruction
with horses in a practical
setting. Safety must be the
priority for every sector of
Irish agriculture.”
Teagasc
Head
of
Education, Dr Anne Marie
Butler thanked Minister
Heydon and his Department
for providing funding to
procure the simulators.
Dr Butler said: “It is
fantastic to acquire these
Irish riders on form
AT Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Wexford’s
Bertram Allen and the eight-year-old
gelding ‘Empoli de Champloue’ took a
commanding victory in the five-star 1.60m
Grand Prix. Seven combinations made it
into the jump-off with Allen’s second round
clear in 33.60 seconds giving him over a
second to spare over runner-up Abdullah
Alsharbatly (KSA) and ‘Kannabis van de
Bucxtale’.
Back in Europe at the London International
Horse Show World Cup fixture in Britain,
Conor Swail claimed a third place finish in
the 1.55m jump-off class with ‘Vital Chance
de la Roque’ (SF).
It was Swail’s third podium finish of
the weekend so far in London, while
Tipperary’s Trevor Breen recorded a
victory on Friday in London with ‘Jicarla T’
in the 1.45m speed class.
In the Dressage World Cup in London, Irish
rider Abi Lyle and the 11-year-old gelding
‘Giraldo’ posted an international personal
best score of 75.250% for 10th place in the
FEI Dressage World Cup Western European
League Grand Prix Kür (Freestyle to Music)
on Friday. World champion Charlotte Fry
(GBR) and ‘Glamourdale’ took victory with
personal best score of 90.995%.
On Thursday, Abi Lyle and ‘Giraldo’
scored 70.395% for seventh place in the FEI
World Cup Short Grand Prix class.
Equestrian
Simulators,
which will greatly enhance
our teaching and student
learning and will improve
both safety and equestrian
skills. Our students and
staff are really excited
to have access to these
simulators.”
Kildalton
College
Principal, Tim Ashmore
stated that Equitation and
Stud Management training
is an expanding offering
at Kildalton College, with
safety training being an
integral
component
of
courses.
Rosemary Gaffney, Lead
Educator of Equestrian
training
at
Kildalton
College said that use of the
simulators will improve
student safety by assisting
to develop both riding
ability and core strength
for riding. Use of riding
simulators will assist in
producing horses with
consistent training for the
sales industry both at home
and abroad. The jumping
simulator will give students
an initial proficiency in
riding and jumping, without
a safety risk.
Teagasc Senior Health
and Safety Specialist, Dr
John McNamara said that
plans are in place for use
of the simulators by horse
sector groups, such as
pony clubs, coaching and
research related to riding
techniques. In this way,
the simulators will be a
resource to improve safety
standards in the equitation
sector.
FEI Pony Measuring 2023
T
HE only Irish FEI Pony
Measuring
session
for
2023 will take place on
Wednesday, January 25 and
Thursday, January 26 in Cavan
Equestrian Centre.
All pony owners who have a
pony that they wish to compete
in FEI Pony Competitions, across
any discipline, in 2023 must have
an FEI Pony Measurement.
This is the sole opportunity
pony owners will have to get their
pony FEI measured in Ireland in
2023 (please note the closing date
for entries was December 21).
If a pony has not competed
internationally or had an FEI
measurement before, they must
be measured before being eligible
to compete in 2023. Ponies who
have received an FEI interim
measurement, shown by a silver
sticker on the pony’s passport,
will need to be measured
again to be deemed eligible for
international competition.
This often applies to ponies
under the age of eight years old,
as life measurements can only be
awarded once the pony is eight
years old or older. Any ponies
who currently have an interim
measuring certificate for 2022 will
not be eligible to compete after
December 31, 2022 unless they
are remeasured.
Ponies who have an FEI life
measurement, which is shown
by a purple sticker on the pony’s
passport, are not required to
attend the FEI measuring session
in Cavan Equestrian Centre.
An online registration portal
for this measuring session is now
open and can be found on Cavan
Equestrian Centre’s website at
https://
www.cavanequestrian.
com/ secure/ feiform.php.
FEI registrations for 2023
opened on November 1, 2022 and
to download the FEI Forms for
Horse/ Pony Registration see the
HSI website under the Passports
section by clicking FEI Passports
and Registrations.
Further details available on
the HSI website: https:// www.
horsesportireland.ie/
fei-ponymeasuring-portal- is-now-open/
THEY say it’s the most wonderful
time of the year and horse
owners, riders and country
enthusiasts are always in for a
real treat when they step through
the doors at Old Mill Saddlery.
As expected, the saddlery’s huge
superstore is jam-packed with the
most sought after premium riding
wear and equipment, making
Christmas shopping a delight!
Gifts that are top of the
equestrian Christmas wishlist
this year include:
Acavallo Arena Alupro Stirrups:
Extremely popular with riders
worldwide, the Acavallo Arena
Alupro quick release stirrup
irons were designed for optimum
rider safety and comfort. These
premium stirrups feature a
unique stress-actuated locking
and release mechanism for quick
release in the event of a fall.
This mechanism allows easy and
reliable ‘one click’ re-engagement
of the mechanism once triggered.
The unique construction and
design of these stirrups make
them much less rigid and more
comfortable than traditional
stirrup irons, making them
extremely popular among riders
with a range of orthopaedic
issues. Available in both adults
and junior sizes.
The Acavallo Arena Alupro
Stirrups are currently priced at
£125.95 for adults and £113.95
for juniors.
Ariat Women’s Coniston Pro GTX
Insulated Boots: Fashionable,
functional and extremely
comfortable, the Ariat Women’s
Coniston Pro GTX insulated boots
are perfect for winter. Suitable
for both riding and country wear,
these boots boast a premium,
waterproof full grain leather,
GORE-TEX membrane and 3M
Thinsulate insulation for superior
warmth throughout the winter.
The Ariat Women’s Coniston Pro
GTX Insulated Boots are currently
priced at £318.71.
■ PERFECT: Fashionable, functional
and extremely comfortable, the
Ariat Women’s Coniston Pro GTX
insulated boots are perfect for
winter. (FW51-500aNN)
■ POPULAR: The Acavallo Arena
Alupro Stirrups are extremely
popular among riders with a
range of orthopaedic issues.
(FW51-500bNN)
LeMieux DryTex Stormwear
Trousers: Definitely a more
practical gift, the LeMieux DryTex
Stormwear Trousers give the best
protection from the elements
this winter. These over-trousers
are fully waterproof, but also
extremely breathable and boast
all the quality and durability you’d
expect from LeMieux.
The LeMieux DryTex Stormwear
Trousers are currently priced at
£75.95.
Toggi Canyon Boots: A long-time
favourite, Toggi Canyon Boots
have been extremely popular
among equestrians due to their
comfort and durability. Made with
a waterproof membrane system,
along with gel inserts in the
footbed, Toggi Canyon boots are
designed to keep your feet dry
and comfortable throughout the
cold and wet months. Suitable
for use both in and out of the
saddle.
Toggi Canyon Boots are currently
priced at £144.95.
All products mentioned in this
article are available online and
in store. Pricing correct at time
of print. For more information,
please contact the saddlery
directly on 028 9335 3268.
Normal Opening Hours
Monday: 9am - 5.30pm
Tuesday: 9am - 5.30pm
Wednesday: 9am - 8.00pm (late
opening)
Thursday: 9am - 5.30pm
Friday: 9am - 5.30pm
Saturday: 9am - 4.00pm
Christmas Opening Hours
Christmas Eve: 9am - 4.00pm
Christmas Day: CLOSED
Boxing Day: CLOSED
Tues, Dec 27: CLOSED
Wed, Dec 28: 9am - 8.00pm
Thurs, Dec 29: 9am - 5.30pm
Fri, Dec 30: 9am - 5.30pm
Sat. Dec 31: 9am - 4.00pm
New Years Day: CLOSED
Mon, Jan 2: CLOSED