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Committees & Regional Secretary’s
Board of Directors The Board of Directors, also known as the Executive Committee, is an eight member committee appointed by the National Committee. Each member is elected to serve a three year term and is eligible for re-election. They work in a voluntary capacity and can be contacted through National Office. Chairman: Tony Ennis Vice Chairman: Kevin McGuinness Members: Dermot Brislane Thomas Daniels, Fiona Furey, Grainne Healy, Melissa O’ Connor & Lawrence Smyth Hon. President: Helen Mangan Hon. Vice President: Gerry Thompson
National Committee The National Committee comprises of 24 members, three directly elected by each region annually. Midlands: Ann Bloomer Grainne Healy Ann Marie Quinlan North East: Louise Duffy Kevin McGuinness Louise Somers South East: Dympna Gibbons Melissa O'Connor Sharon O’Connor South Leinster: Hilary McHugh Jane Power Peter Roberts 2
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South West: Jerome Foley Fiona Leahy Jane Morgan West: Thomas Daniels John McArdle Lawrence Smyth West Leinster: Fiona Furey Karyn Jamieson Mary Clare Travers West Midlands: Dermot Brislane Tony Ennis Doreen Egan
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Regional Secretary’s Midlands: Grainne Healy 086 8374179 midlandsregion@airc.ie North East: Louise Somers 086 8952645 northeastregion@airc.ie South East: Helen O’Byrne 086 8128959 southeastregion@airc.ie South Leinster: Hilary MacHugh 086 8239515 southleinsterregion@airc.ie South West: Orla O’ Kelly 086 8457862 southwestregion@airc.ie West: Patricia Warren 086 3761863 westregion@airc.ie West Leinster: Anouska Rickard 086 3663824 westleinsterregion@airc.ie West Midlands: Doreen Egan 086 8164205 westmidlandsregion@airc.ie
News in Brief
and more
We are very excited to announce the launch of our newly designed website.
Each member, when they join the Association, is automatically allocated a membership online account.
It is responsive for viewing on all devices and it is also easier to navigate and search the downloads section.
This gives you access to your account information, grades, registered horses, previous results at national events and also access to enter national events online.
The membership online area has also been upgraded as is also responsive for viewing on all devices. This will make it easier to view our website and to enter online from mobile devices and tablets. We welcome any feedback you may have to website@airc.ie.
Lost your membership card? Visit the AIRC online shop You can now order and pay for a duplicate membership card via our website www.airc.ie. To order a card, simply go to Members and Shop and follow the instructions on screen. You also order a printed version of the rulebook, and an AIRC neck tie.
Membership Online, your gateway to online entries
You can also update your contact information such as your postal address, contact telephone numbers and your email address. You will receive updates by email and by occasional text if you provide this information.
Link-Up, the publication of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs, is designed and edited by David Abbott.
New website launched!
To access your account go to www.airc.ie and click on Members Login Area. Make sure to stay in touch by liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter and Instagram.
National Office National Office is open Monday to Friday between 9:30am to 1:30pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm by calling 045 854 555 or emailing info@airc.ie. Cover Photograph: Carne Riding Club retained the Team Eventing Championship last September, (l to r) Albert Whitehead, Jennifer Kehoe, Nicole Kehoe and Lisa Whitehead accept the trophy from Tony Ennis, AIRC Chairman. (Pic: David Abbott)
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World Club Tournament
Exciting opportunity to compete at World Club Tournament in France There is a fantastic opportunity for AIRC members to represent Ireland in a Team Show Jumping competition at the Generali World Club Tournament in France. It is a friendly international competition for riding clubs from all over the world in a friendly environment where competitors will meet riders from around the world. It also offers riders the chance to taste the atmosphere of an international competition with a parade of nations and national anthems. This famous meeting takes place every summer during the Generali Open of France at the Parc Equestre Federal, 41600 Lamotte Beuvron, France from 20th to 22nd July 2016. Each team of 3 or 4 riders competes in two show jumping rounds and a final. The competition will be run over two days: 2 rounds and a final. The final is reserved for the five best teams after the first two rounds. Each rider has to participate with the same horse throughout the competition. The Federation Francaise 4
d'Equitation (FFE) helps teams who want to participate in The Generali World Club Tournament to find their accommodation and the horse rental for teams who need it. It is envisaged that team members will hire horses for this event due to the distance and cost of transportation. The Association is seeking expressions of interest from interested clubs in representing the Association at this tournament. Teams members must be of advanced intermediate level in show jumping but Intermediate riders will also be considered. Interested clubs must return their expression of interest form (F91/16) to National Office by Friday 6th May 2016. Contact David Abbott at National Office for further queries. AIRC chairman Tony Ennis said, "this is a fantastic opportunity for a club to compete on a world stage in a friendly environment while sharing our culture with other competitors from around the world." "This is the first time that the Association has had an opportunity to send a team to compete on a world stage and I hope that we will be able to send the best possible team who will best portray the ethos of our organisation abroad," he added.
Team Show Jumping Championship
Horseware Team Show Jumping Championship Last year almost 150 teams sought qualification for the final of the Horseware sponsored Team Show Jumping Championship at the Dublin Horse Show. This makes it undoubtedly the most sought after title of the Association’s six national championships. Teams of 3 or four members (and at least two nominated reserves), made up of two riders who will jump a 0.90m course (these could be made up of two Intermediate or one Intermediate and one Advanced Intermediate) and two riders who will jump a course not exceeding 1.00m (these could be made up of any of the following grades:
Killossery Riding Club, 2015 Team Champions
Advanced Intermediate, Open or Advanced Open with a maximum of one Advanced Open. There must always be one Intermediate rider on the team. The winning team at each regional qualifier goes forward to the final while the runners-up from each qualifier goes through to the Wild Card Qualifier at the Riding Club Festival. The winner of this goes forward to the final at the Dublin Horse Show in July. For further information, visit www.airc.ie.
Championship Qualifiers 2016 1st May 8th May 8th May 8th May 15th May 15th May 22nd May 22nd May
Midlands Mullingar Equestrian Ctr, Co. Westmeath West Midlands Tipperary Equestrian Centre, Co. Tipperary West Leinster Coilog Equestrian Centre, Co. Kildare South West West Cork Equine Centre, Co. Cork West Tubberbride Stables, Co. Sligo North East Kernan's Equestrian Centre, Co. Armagh South East Ballinamona Equestrian, Co. Waterford South Leinster Boswell Equestrian, Co. Wicklow
Visit www.airc.ie for up-to-date information on these qualifiers
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A.I.R.C. Ltd reserves the right to amend, alter, or cancel any of this schedule should the need
Riding Clubs Festival
Schedule changes for 26th Riding Clubs Festival
The showing classes remain unchanged from last year while the ride offs in the open and advanced intermediate dressage competitions have been withdrawn.
The 26th Riding Clubs Festival takes place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th June 2016 at Stradbally Hall Estate, Co. Laois.
Stabling is available from Friday 10th June at 2pm until Sunday at 6pm at €84 per stable.
The two-day show is our flagship event and has grown from its beginnings at Punchestown Racecourse in 1990 to become one of Ireland’s biggest amateur equestrian events. Last year almost 750 horses competed in over 70 competitions in dressage, showing and show jumping. Every level, from Primary right up to Advanced Open, is catered for with a range of competitions each day. There are a number of changes to the schedule this year. The age for veteran rider competitions in dressage and showing has been increased to 55, up from 50 last year. In show jumping, new pairs accumulator competitions for primary and advanced primary riders have been introduced while the accumulator classes have been replaced with Table A speed classes.
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Entries have also been reduced to €16 for individuals, pairs cost €32 while team entries are €64. Postal entries close on Monday 25th April while online entries open on Saturday 23rd April until 12 noon on Thursday 5th May. Members and Horses must be registered with the Association no later than Friday 29th April to ensure the application can be processed in time before the entries close. For further information, visit www.airc.ie for a copy of the full schedule. The Association would like to acknowledge the following sponsors for their continued support:
Riding Clubs Festival Sunday 12th June 2016
Dressage Primary Individual Advanced Primary Individual Intermediate Individual Advanced Intermediate Long Arena Open Individual Musical Ride Novice / Expert Pairs Young Horse
Dressage Primary / Adv. Primary / Inter. Prix Caprilli Intermediate Prix Caprilli Intermediate Long Arena Advanced Intermediate Individual Open Long Arena Advanced Open Advanced Open Long Arena Team Dressage Dressage to Music (AI/O/AO) / (P/AP/I) Fancy Dress Pairs Veteran Rider / Veteran Horse
Show Jumping Primary Teams Advanced Primary Teams Intermediate Individual Advanced Intermediate Individual Open / Advanced Open Individual Adv. Intermediate Power & Speed Open / Adv. Open Power & Speed Veteran Riders Clear Round Jumping Showing Lightweight Hunter Mediumweight Hunter Heavyweight Hunter Side Saddle / 4-Year-Old* / Mares* The Carl Geisler Memorial C’ship* Small Hunters Riding Horse (Up to 158cms) Riding Horse (Over 158cms) Cobs (Lightweight / Heavyweight / Maxi) Primary Performance Hunter Adv. Primary Performance Hunter Working Hunter (Intermediate) Coloured Horse (Up to 158cms / Over 158cms) Veteran Horse This list is provided for guideline purposes only and must be read in conjunction with the event schedule on www.airc.ie.
A.I.R.C. reserve the right to alter, amend or cancel any of this schedule or part there of.
Saturday 11th June 2016
Show Jumping Primary Individual Primary Pairs Accumulator Advanced Primary Individual Advanced Primary Pairs Accumulator Intermediate Power & Speed Intermediate Teams Advanced Intermediate Table A Speed Open / Advanced Open Table A Speed Team Show Jumping Challenge Clear Round Jumping Showing Irish Draught Irish Draught Performance Hunter Connemara Connemara Performance Hunter Ex Racehorse / Thoroughbred Ex Racehorse (Performance) Traditional Irish Cob / Arabs The Eddie Fowler Memorial C’ship* Introduction to Showing Primary Showing / Novice Showing The Frank Mangan Memorial C’ship* Working Hunter (Cobs & Small Hunters) / (4 & 5 Year Olds) / (AI/O/AO) / C’ship Riding Club Horse Primary / Adv. Primary * Qualification required. 9
Dressage Championships
Connolly’s Red Mills Dressage Championships Almost 70 teams sought qualification for the Team Dressage Championship last year. This is a significant increase, up from 30, in the number of teams taking part annually since the format was changed in 2013. To qualify, clubs are permitted to enter teams of three or four riders. These must contain no more than two riders from any one grade representing no less than two grades. Reserves must also be nominated on the official entry form in advance. The number of teams qualifying at each regional qualifier will depend
on the number of teams which start on the day of the qualifier. One team for every four teams, or part thereof, will go forward to the championships. Teams, however, may only qualify at their respective regional qualifier. In the individual classes, the top four rider and horse combinations from the Advanced Primary, Intermediate and Advanced Intermediate classes at each qualifier will go forward to the championships. Individuals, however, may qualify at any of the qualifiers around the country. If an individual rider and horse combination has already qualified at a previous qualifier, the next best placed rider will go forward. For further information, visit www.airc.ie.
Championship Qualifiers 2016 15th May 22nd May 22nd May 29th May 29th May 26th June 3rd July 17th July 24th July
Midlands South East West West Leinster South West North East West Midlands South Leinster West
Kilrainey Equestrian Centre, Co. Kildare Barnadown Stud, Co. Wexford Lenamore Stables, Co. Donegal Redhills Stud, Co. Kildare Skevanish Equestrian Centre, Co. Cork National Sport Horse Arena, Co. Dublin Clonshire Equestrian Centre, Co. Limerick Spruce Lodge, Co. Wicklow Ennis Show Grounds, Co. Clare
Visit www.airc.ie for up-to-date information on these qualifiers 11
Events Calendar
Make sure to visit the Events Calendar on www.airc.ie for an up-to-date list of activities happening in your area. This is updated daily with new listings. 12
Safety News
New riding hat rules as EN1384 withdrawn As advised last year, the EN1384 and (BS)EN1384 standard is no longer accepted at any AIRC activity as it has been phased out by the European Union. Meanwhile, a new standard, VG1 01.040 (2014-12), may now be used at any AIRC activity. The complete list of acceptable riding hat standards for AIRC activities is as follows: - PAS 015 - ASTM F1163 2004a onwards with SEI mark - Snell E2001 - AS/NZS 3838: 2003
- VG1 01.040 2014-12 with BSI Kitemark or Inspec IC Mark These changes mean that all hats must now be checked and re-tagged with new hat tags. Riding hats with old hat tags will no longer be accepted in competition until they have been checked and re-tagging if they meet any of the approved standards. Two new hat tags are being introduced this year to replace the previous hat tag as all riding hats will be tagged with one of the following tags: - Bright green tag for skull caps with NO fixed peak for all activities. - Bright green and white tag for hats with a fixed peak for none crosscountry activities.
Masters Series: Intermediate leading riders (l to r) Kilrainy’s Joe Conway (3rd), Letterkenny’s Dawn Hyndman (2nd) and Donegal Gaeltacht’s Cassandra McGee (1st) with Tony Ennis, AIRC chairman.
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National Events
Changes to 2016 A.I.R.C. Eventing Championships Qualifiers are being reintroduced for this years Association of Irish Riding Clubs National Eventing Championships which take place at Kilguilkey House, Co. Cork on Sunday 11th September 2016. Competitors graded either advanced primary, intermediate or advanced intermediate in cross-country will have to qualify in order to compete in their respective championship class at the final. Two rider and horse combinations from each grade will qualify at any A.I.R.C. affiliated one-day event held between the 1st May and before the close of entries for the final in
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September. There will also be classes for those who do not qualify for the championship classes at the final. AIRC chairman Tony Ennis said: “We’ve been listening to feedback from our members, event organisers and committees and they wanted qualifiers reintroduced. We’ve taken everything on board and will try this new system this year and see how it progresses.” “We had problems previously whereby some regions couldn’t hold a qualifier and then others had to be rescheduled but this new system, we hope, will be fairer to everyone. It’s important to have a qualification process to uphold the integrity of the championships,” he added.
National Dressage Tests
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