9 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 67
HORSEWEEK
FARMWEEK
APRIL 01 2021
67
Howard Whelan: Well-known
local equine vet looking
forward to leisurely retirement
V
RETIREMENT: Equine vet Howard Whelan
retired at the end of March. (FW13-518NN)
Excitement as
Northern Region
events resume
THE Northern Region of Eventing
Ireland is delighted that the Department
of Agriculture, Environment and Rural
Affairs (DAERA) processed legislative
amendments, which removed the
prohibition on elite level sporting events
and competitions from March 25. Plans
were quickly put in motion to schedule
Tyrella 2, which is due to take place this
coming Saturday.
The competitions are restricted to
elite/ professional riders only. In order
to satisfy eligibility, all athletes must
complete a Self Declaration Form, which
can be downloaded from the Eventing
Ireland website and returned by email
to dorabeacom@live.co.uk. They must
also bring proof of their eligibility to the
event.
ELITE
The denition of an ‘Elite’ athlete is an
individual who:
- derives a living from COMPETING in
the sport;
- is a senior representative nominated
by a relevant sporting body;
- is a member of the senior training
squad for a relevant sporting body; or
- is aged 16 or above, resident in
Northern Ireland and on an elite
development pathway.
Northern Region is looking forward
to the resumption of eventing after
a six month break and, hopefully,
further relaxations will be introduced
very shortly to enable the remaining
categories of athletes to compete.
ETERINARY Surgeon Howard Whelan
will retire at the end of March,
drawing to a close an outstanding
career spanning a staggering 53
years, tirelessly dedicated to equine
veterinary science and the equine sector. A
‘maverick’ and ‘no nonsense, practical’ vet
in his own right, he has left an indelible mark
on his equine colleagues, clients and friends.
He has brought charisma, wit and humour
to his work, the likes of which we may not
see again. Without a doubt, his extensive
veterinary expertise has been second to
none, possessing a skilful eye for detail and
an immense knowledge, coupled with instinct
that has proved invaluable down the years
whilst actioning his clinical work.
In 1967, Howard graduated from Trinity
College Dublin and began his career at
Noel Ferguson’s practice at the Old Cross
in Newtownards. Further progression saw
Howard practise as a vet at ‘Whelan, Muskett
and Thompson’ operating on the Movilla Road
and then as a partner at Jubilee Veterinary
Centre, Newtownards.
Having a particular interest in equines,
Howard has practised from his yard in the
townland of Ringneill in Comber for several
years, specialising in the eld of equine
veterinary science. Howard has acted as a
vet for several decades at both Down Royal
and Downpatrick racecourses. Howard has
lent his expertise over the years to adjudicate
on the veterinary panel at Tattersalls and
LONGSTANDING CAREER: Howard graduated
from Trinity College Dublin in 1967 and began
his career at Noel Ferguson’s practice at the
Old Cross in Newtownards. (FW13-519NN)
Goffs Sales. In the past, he has held the post
of Chairman of the Association of the Irish
Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons, in addition
to being one of its founding members. He has
also sat on the veterinary panel at Tattersalls
and Punchestown International three-day
events.
Previously, he has acted in the capacity of
FEI Veterinary delegate at both Necarne and
Balmoral Show spanning a period of 30 years.
He has acted in the capacity of FEI Veterinary
delegate and Veterinary President at the
Royal Dublin Show.
Further aeld, his FEI commitments have
included acting as the Veterinary Delegate
at the European Jumping Championships in
Belgium. Over the last few years, he has lent
his experience on the board of the Equine
Council for Northern Ireland, where he has
held the post of Vice Chairman.
Howard is currently a joint partner at
Ringneill Equine Clinic, Comber, alongside
partner vet Christopher Akkari.
Following Howard’s retirement, Chris will
continue on as the main vet at Ringneill
and will continue to operate the practice at
the same location on the Ringneill Road in
Comber, Co. Down.
With retirement looming, Howard will
continue to follow the racing scene with
fervour and looks forward to breeding
Thoroughbreds and managing his yard of
youngstock. Downtime will also allow him to
spend more time gardening and to continue
his interest in ornithology.
We wish Howard the very best during his
retirement and we expect to see him enjoying
racing and other equestrian sports at his
leisure.
New arrival at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus
By Caroline Simpson, Second Year B.Sc. (Hons)
in Equine Management Student
T
HE College of Agriculture, Food and
Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)’s equine
campus is located near the town of
Enniskillen, on the edge of Lough Erne in
County Fermanagh. It consists of breeding,
equitation and racing yards, which are used
to educate the next generation of equestrians
in all aspects of equine management.
In the early hours of Tuesday, March 9, 2021,
the breeding yard welcomed the arrival of
‘Xander’, a gorgeous Thoroughbred colt foal.
This is particularly exciting for the students
this year, as they have been seeing less of the
Campus horses because Covid-19 restrictions
have determined that they are attending most
of their classes remotely.
‘Xander’ is by ‘Getaway’, out of
‘Whatduhavtoget’ (or ‘Whatty’ as she is
affectionately known on campus). ‘Getaway’
stands at Grange Stud, County Cork and
is one of the top National Hunt sires
currently standing in the country, having
produced many very successful racehorses.
‘Whatduhavtoget’ is unproven as a broodmare
as ‘Xander’ is her rst foal, however, she has
proved herself as a racehorse by winning over
both hurdles and fences during her career.
She is also extremely well bred, as she is by
‘Presenting’ out of a ‘Saddler’s Hall’ mare.
It is planned that ‘Xander’ will stay on site
until the autumn, when he will be weaned by
students, who will then devise and carry out
a management programme to prepare him for
the November Foal Sales. The students play a
major role in the breeding yard at Enniskillen
Campus. They carry out morning and evening
yards, prepare foals and youngstock for sales,
select stallions for the mares and, every
spring, they take part in ‘foal watch’ in the
hope of being lucky enough to see a foal being
born.
Students and staff will be hoping that
NEW ARRIVAL: The breeding yard at CAFRE’s equine campus has welcomed the arrival of
‘Xander’, a gorgeous Thoroughbred colt foal. (FW13-535NN)
‘Xander’ will follow in the footsteps of
previous Thoroughbred foals from CAFRE,
such as ‘Make Me A Believer’, a 2015 National
Hunt gelding running over hurdles. He is by
‘Presenting’, out of ‘Kiltiernan Robin’ (or
‘Frenchie’ to the staff and students). ‘Make Me
A Believer’s’ half-brother, ‘King Roland’, a 2014
National Hunt gelding by ‘Stowaway’, out of
‘Kiltiernan Robin’ is also doing the breeding
yard proud in his career. Students and staff
hope to one day see ‘Xander’ meet or exceed
the success of these two brilliant racehorses.
For now, ‘Xander’ is already becoming a very
popular member of CAFRE’s four-legged
community!
The initial UCAS deadline for September 2021
applications was January 29, 2021 but late
applications for FdSc in Equine Management
and BSc (Hons) in Equine Management are
still being accepted. Applications for Further
Education courses can be completed through
the CAFRE website: www.cafre.ac.uk.