€10,00 up for grabs in HSI foal event

QUALIFIERS ARE now underway nationwide for the Horse Sport Ireland Foal Championship which this year boasts a prize-fund of €30,000.

The championship aims to identify, evaluate and reward breeders who have bred a foal that has the potential to be competitive at the highest International level in the disciplines of show jumping or eventing.

The first of six qualifiers took place last month, but there are a further five in the coming weeks at Tubberbride Stables, Co. Sligo (August 7), Wexford Equestrian, Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford (August 18), The Meadows Equestrian Centre Lurgan, Co Armagh (August 19), Coilog Equestrian Centre, Naas, Co Kildare (August 22), and Galway Equestrian Centre, Peakroe, Athenry, Galway (August 24).

There will be separate sections for potential show jumping foals and potential eventing foals.

All will be permitted to enter one regional qualifier but will not be confined to entering the qualifier in their own region.

Foals must be registered in a studbook (pending DNA where this can be verified by the studbook is acceptable) that is a member of the WBFSH or Weatherbys and must be shown with their dams

Foals must be entered in either the show jumping section or the eventing section. They cannot compete in both sections.

A prize-fund of €3,000 will be on offer at each of the qualifiers, where four foals will be selected for the final; the best show jumping type colt and filly, and the best eventing type colt and filly.

Traditionally bred

The final will take place at Cavan Equestrian Centre on August 26 where a pot of €10,000 will be on offer and two champions will be named – champion show jumping foal and champion eventing foal.

There will also be a special prize for the overall best traditionally-bred foal.

The show jumping champion colt and filly will be offered free entry into the Cavan Elite Foal Sale at Cavan Equestrian Centre on September 22 should their owners be interested in selling their foals.