Ireland fight back for fourth in Longines League of Nations, Ocala
The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team fought their way to a fourth-place finish in the Longines League of Nations second leg at the World Equestrian Centre overnight in Ocala, Florida. It was a case of what might have been for Michael Blake and his team as Ireland were left to rue errors as a 13-fault finish meant they were just touched off the podium by less than a second, having finished level with Belgium. Host nation USA landed the spoils on four faults after anchor rider McLain Ward jumped a clear round under pressure on Ilex to see off Germany in second by a solitary time penalty. Having been in sixth position after round one, the Irish fought back and the result means they remain on top of the overall standings on 170 points, having won leg one in Abu Dhabi. Blake, while happy with the eventual finish, cut […]
Updated figures of passport applications processed on Horse Source – March 21st, 2025
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has now issued 5600 foal passports to breeders through the Horse Source online passporting system. Through the week ending March 7th; from the 5600 completed foal passports, 5176 are pedigree applications. This comes from a total of 6977 applications, which also includes non-pedigree applications. The number of non-pedigree applications completed is now 546. It is important to note that, to date, 597 foal kits have been returned from breeders to HSI for pedigree applications, with the 5176 pedigree foal passports issued to breeders equating to 88% of pedigree applications having passports issued, where DNA has been provided by customers. 9% of DNA Kits have not been returned to HSI from breeders. Once these are received, they can be sent to the laboratory and the applications processed and completed. HSI has processed 98% of applications that have DNA results back from the laboratory and the remainder are […]
Simone Hession appointed as new Horse Sport Ireland Performance Para Dressage Manager
Horse Sport Ireland is happy to announce that Simone Hession has been appointed as High Performance Para Dressage Manager ahead of the FEI Para Dressage European Championships in Ermelo later this year. Hession succeeds Debora Pijpers in the role and takes over a Para Dressage programme in excellent shape, with Irish athletes achieving multiple top-10 finishes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. She brings a wealth of experience to the role as a Horse Sport Ireland Level 2 coach and accomplished dressage rider, based at her yard, Beezies Stud in Sligo. From here, she combines her coaching with breeding and producing Irish-bred horses. As an athlete, Hession is best known for competing in dressage with a number of home-bred horses from Preliminary to Grand Prix level. She is also the founder and organiser of the successful Wild Atlantic Dressage Festival. Hession said: “I am privileged to be given the opportunity […]
Horse Sport Ireland Statement on Professor Wall Report
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) recognises that at the heart of Ireland’s equine industry is a sentient being that depends on our care, respect, and protection. The trust placed in our sector, and our social licence to operate, is built not only on regulatory compliance, but also on the fundamental principle of putting the horse first in every decision we make. The abuses and fraudulent practices exposed by last year’s RTÉ Investigates documentary are a stark reminder of the consequences when systems fail and when individuals disregard this duty of care. They are also a challenge to all stakeholders to reaffirm welfare, integrity, and accountability as non-negotiable cornerstones of our industry. HSI welcomes the publication of Professor Patrick Wall’s report and supports its recommendations aimed at strengthening equine traceability, transparency, and welfare protections across Ireland and beyond. Horse Sport Ireland wishes to again acknowledge the reporting work undertaken by Conor Ryan […]
In-form Irish bid for further Longines League of Nations glory in Ocala
The Underwriting Exchange Irish Show Jumping team’s Longines League of Nations campaign rolls into Ocala, Florida this weekend as Michael Blake’s men bid for further major success. The world number-one ranked nation produced a flawless display when winning the first leg of the series in Abu Dhabi last month and, having won in Ocala in 2024, Blake is hoping for more of the same. It is a completely different quartet to that which was victorious in Abu Dhabi but such is the strength in depth at his disposal, the Horse Sport Ireland High Performance Show Jumping Manager has called upon yet another top-class team. Paris Olympians Daniel Coyle and Cian O’Connor will be joined by fellow Olympian Darragh Kenny and the in-form Tom Wachman for the competitive leg as they face the world’s best. Coyle rides Incredible, five star winner at Dublin and London among a string of excellent results, […]
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Ireland fight back for fourth in Longines League of Nations, Ocala
