PROFILE

Zag: TB
Height: 16 hh
Age: 10 years
Status: Ex Racehorse

Zag is in the IHWT ex racehorse retraining programme & is currently mid way through re-schooling. He will shortly be looking for a new loving home, with a competent rider. Zag is a lovely horse to handle but at times can be sharp. This is ZAG – ex racehorse 16hh 10 yo. Zag is a handsome Chestnut gelding.

If you are looking for a great horse, with heaps of personality and have the skills, patience, dedication & experience required, to take on an ex racehorse, then look no further, Zag may just be the one for you.

If you have an enquiry or would like to meet Zag get in touch with us at info@ihwt.ie or contact the office directly on (0404) 45720 or (0404) 30773.

IHWT Jaguar Claw competes at Hickstead in the National Schools Jumping Championship

It was a long road and not without its hiccups but on Thursday August 5th, IHWT Jaguar Claw sailed into the senior qualifying arena in the brilliant sunshine. Part of a three rider team, Jag looked comfortable as he trotted around the arena awaiting the bell. On him, Georgina Izatt looked equally confident despite the strong metre plus course and infamous Hickstead planks. First out was rider number one Georgina Izatt on Jag. Jag was quite full of him self and pranced a bit turning the corner to the first fence but as they set themselves up to jump the first jump of the course they settled into a nice rythem. They jumped around the course almost foot perfect until they stood off a large spread which was the first part to a four stride related distance and ended up with Jag stretching over the secound part of the related distance causing him to drop his back legs and unfortunately have that pole down. After that slight miss hap they carried on a beautiful round. Clear the rest of the way.

Next up was Roisin Lawerence on Colours of the Wind. This was a strong course for Colours of the Wind as cross country is her area of expertise. Today, however, Roisin drove her mare on and she competed with vigor only knocking one pole.

The last rider was Claire Redmond and she rode Zappata. She cantered round the course and gave a text book master class in jumping, leaving all fences intact. However, it was unfortunate that when the qualifiers finished eight faults was enough to keep them out of the jump off in the main arena.

‘Next year,’ says Georgina.
Last week no less than 24 Irish secondary school riders travelled with their horses to the International Arena at Hickstead, UK, to compete on behalf of their respective schools and their country. In all, eight teams from three schools represented Ireland in the National UK interschools final on Thursday 5th August bringing home ribbons across the board.
Introduced in 1964 by Canon Peter Booth, the The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships is a highlight of the amateur equestrian calendar, attracting schools and pony clubs from across the British Isles. Every year hundreds of youngsters flock to Hickstead hoping to qualify to jump on the hallowed ground of the world-famous International Arena. Staged annually as the finale to the horse show season, young equestrians are given the chance to jump in the very ring that they have watched their heroes battle it out in just days before.
The three schools representing Ireland in The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools Jumping Championship were Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, Wicklow, Kilkenny College, Kilkenny and Newbridge College, Kildare.
Linda Dunne, principal at Coláiste Bhríde, Carnew, says: “It was a very proud moment to watch our teams enter the arena. All riders did their best and we were witness to some very fine jumping not only from our school but across the Irish teams. We certainly flew the flag that day!”
Ms Dunne went on to compliment her school’s trainer: “Jim Donohue has worked the teams and their horses very hard and it shows. To jump in Hickstead is an honour but a daunting task. Compliments too must go to the school’s equestrian officer, Ms Miriam Rickerby and especially to the parents for making sure these young riders were ready and prepared to compete internationally.”
Only one junior team from Ireland qualified for the final in the main arena and that came from Coláiste Bhríde. Consisting of Kathryn Izatt, Laura Hadden and Joanna Barnes, the plucky team faced a stiff qualifying competition against 21 other teams. The teams had to face the famous and daunting Hickstead five bar gate and the equally scary Hickstead planks. No less than eight teams were eliminated due to the toughness of the course but the undaunted Coláiste Bhríde junior riders secured fourth place in the final. This team was also awarded the international junior trophy.
In addition, Kathryn Izatt jumped a clear round in the main arena which qualified her for a jump off for the individual title. She had one pole down but still managed to come eighth overall.
The senior qualifying arena was also very tough. A total of 72 teams were registered for this competition and likewise this was a tough course with a high number of eliminations recorded. Coláiste Bhríde saw one senior team into the main arena on an impressive score of zero. The successful team consisted of Louise Redmond, Mark Redmond and Ciaran Gethings. Their second senior team of Roisín Lawrence, Georgina Izatt and Claire Redmond , finished the qualifying round on a team total of eight faults just four faults away from qualifying for the final in the main arena .
The final in main arena proved a very difficult course for the seniors, with continued eliminations and refusals from the large and demanding jumps. Overall, Newbridge College came joint fifth and accepted the senior international trophy, with Kilkenny College and Coláiste Bhríde in eighth and eleventh place respectively.
Hickstead is synonymous with showjumping. As host to the British Grand Prix and the only Nations Cup competition in the UK, it is the home of British showjumping. Founded in 1960 by Douglas Bunn, Hickstead has come to represent more than just showjumping however, and as it approaches its 50th birthday is equally as renowned for polo, showing, dressage, driving and even eventing.

For less than a €1.00 a week you can save the lives of horses.

Join the IHWT Team today and use your voice, get involved and make a difference.

On Sunday (June 20th) Co. Cavan's National School Show-Jumping League held its year's finals at Ross House Equestrian Centre, Mount Nugent. The League, in which up to 70 school children competing in a number of events throughout the year. Every year the members of the League hold a table quiz where money is raised for a charitable cause. The proceeds of this year's quiz (700 Euro) were presented at yesterday's event to the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). Accepting the cheque on behalf of the Wicklow-based charity, Dr. Katharina Dedem-Laurenns said: 'We are very grateful to the League for donating 700 Euros to the Trust. 'It is commendable that the League encourage not only an enthusiasm for riding in their young participants but also an awareness of the welfare needs of the horse. Their generous donation is hugely appreciated.'

The league was set up by Patrice Greenan, Sylvia Lee, Assumpta Scully, Tracy Reilly and Carmel Ellis to teach young children good horsemanship and allow them to improve their riding skills within a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere. By participating in the League, Co. Cavan's up and coming young riders are given the opportunity to test themselves and their ponies against each other. In the spirit of friendly competition the young riders learn to negotiate jumps and courses of increasing difficulty.

The IHWT would like to thank all those who participated in this worthy event, especially the committee members & parents and children.

Pictured in the photographs are members of the League with Dr. Katharina Dedem-Laurenns and Robert Murdy of Ross House Equestrian Centre on his grey competition gelding 'Urbi et Orbi S'.

Tara Members had been made aware that the Irish Horse Welfare Trust is in desperate need of funds, and they were keen to raise some cash in order to make a donation. A raffle was organised, and some members and friends sponsored individual prizes, whilst others donated items to be used to make up hampers. The latter resulted in the production of seven luxury food and wine hampers to add to the other prizes and over €630.00 was raised from the raffle alone. This, together with profits made on the night, resulted in €1,025.00 being donated to The Trust. All this at a “do” that was only €20 a head! Not bad for a club, which only six weeks before, had staged its Summer Show in Kilmessan, County Meath, at which €1000.00 was raised for the Homeless Children in Calcutta.

The fundraiser came into being by Committee member Vanessa Kerr suggesting staging a Barn Dance in an outbuilding on the farm where she and her husband Ciaran live and suddenly it was all action. Vanessa went into overdrive and in no time had caterer, band, disco, bar facilities, bucking bull and security men organised. At the time the sheds were in use, so in the two weeks previous to the Barn Dance they were thoroughly power hosed and swept out and come the night of Saturday June 19th, a bar had been installed, tables and chairs set out, and the place was decked out with bunting and balloons. The place had been transformed! The yard outside also saw the power hose, as this was where the dancing was set to take place. Caterer Eoin Kearney produced a great two -course meal, and fed around 200 hungry people, who were then definitely “in the mood for dancing”. The band set up on a trailer outside and the place started to swing. Guys and Gals were trying to outdo each other on the Bucking Bull, but all were shamed by the amazing staying powers of young Laura Quinlan, who won the Best Rodeo Girl, outstaying the Best Rodeo Boy Shane Costello, from Grangeclare Paddocks, by 30 seconds! There were some very fancily dressed girls and boys there and winner of the Best Dressed Cowboy was Vanessa’s husband Ciaran and the Best Dressed Cow Girl was won by Joan McDowell – accessorised in pink right down to the pink boots. The dancing went on until late – once the band had packed up, the Disco got going and the going got hot! Just as well, as although it was then into the early hours of Mid Summers Eve, the temperature was decidedly low and braziers had been lit to warm up the place.

Thank you to Tara Hill for this wonderful donation from all the horses and staff at IHWT.