April showers don't deter equine devotees
Local equestrian news, reports, results and photos
Hello everyone,
Another week has gone by already and Easter is behind us! I hope you all had a lovely break over Easter and had a chance for some equine fun… Despite some rather heavy ‘April showers’! Let’s hope they bring lots of lovely ‘May flowers’!
It is now the end of April and the Pony Club Barrier Spring Festival is being held at Castle Irvine, Necarne this weekend; the show season is imminent, with the Northern Ireland Festival being held next weekend (May 2-4) at Cavan Equestrian Centre and Balmoral Show is not too far ahead (May 14-17) at Balmoral Park. Best of luck to all involved in these, both in your preparations and in competition!
Meanwhile, there is so much happening around the various equestrian centres we are blessed to have locally, so the calendar is providing lots of choice, between show jumping, Working Hunter, eventing, dressage and also Pleasure Rides… The only trouble is deciding what to do and where to do it! Why not check out the Horse&Field calendar to help you make your horsey plans?
This Horse&Field newsletter brings you the latest equine news, as well as reports, results and pictures from local competitions and events over the past week or so, including the SJI Horse Show at Portmore; Easter show jumping at Danescroft; show jumping at The Meadows; week four of the Working Hunter League at Hagans Croft; the fourth and final EI Northern Region event of 2025 at Tyrella; registered horse and pony jumping at Connell Hill; the first week of the latest show jumping league at Ecclesville; the recent Causeway and Glens Riding Club Working Hunter Show. In equestrian news, details of a new BEVA award for early-career equine vets.
Danni is 1.20m 'super star' at Portmore
Sunday, April 20 saw the popular registered jumping being held at Portmore Equestrian Centre, Aghalee, with classes offered from 80cm up to 1.30m.
Easter Show jumping fun at Danescroft Equestrian
What a fantastic day was had on Easter Sunday for the Show jumping Show at Danescroft Equestrian, Lisburn!
Impressive jumping at The Meadows
The Meadows, Lurgan, hosted another Spring Horse Show and MEC Young Horse Challenge on Saturday, April 19, with classes running from 80cm up to 1.30m, catering for four, five, six and seven-year-olds.
Successful day for Ciara and 'Carneyhaugh Talisman' at Hagans Croft
After a few days of consistent rain, Hagans Croft Equestrian was delighted that they were able to go ahead with the fourth week of their five-week Working Hunter league on Saturday, April 19. The main arena was up to the test and so were the horses and riders that turned up to jump the course of nine rustic fences. Each week the course has been built sl…
The curtain comes down on Tyrella for 2025
There was genuine sadness amongst Northern Region committee, officials and members, as they bade farewell to Tyrella for 2025, after four amazing events plus the two days of the Two-Phase and record entries of almost 1,500.
Ponies jump in style at Connell Hill
Connell Hill, Randalstown, once again hosted pony classes alongside the horse classes at their SJI Spring League show on Thursday, April 17. With the Easter holidays, it was another opportunity for ponies and their riders to get out and put some miles on the clock and some points on the board.
'Smart' win for Grace at Connell Hill SJI horse show
Connell Hill, Randalstown, held another busy SJI Spring League show on Thursday, April 17, hosting classes for both horses and ponies.
Super start for Ecclesville’s Show jumping League
Ecclesville Centre, Fintona started the third of their Show jumping Leagues for 2025 on Friday evening and the organisers were delighted to welcome the many competitors.
Working Hunter wonder at Causeway and Glens show
Causeway and Glens Riding Club ran a very sunny and successful Working Hunter on Saturday, April 12 at RDA Causeway Coast Arena, Coleraine. Competitors took on a testing track designed by William Brown.
In equestrian news:
New BEVA award to recognise exceptional equine vets
The British Equine Veterinary Association has introduced the BEVA One To Watch Award to recognise exceptional early-career equine vets. Nominations for the new award open on April 25, 2025. The winner will be announced at BEVA Congress, September 10-13, 2025, at the ICC Birmingham, and will receive a bundle of prizes including a year’s free BEVA members…
In case you missed it:
The latest podcast interview was with Mark Robinson and is well worth a listen, if you haven’t done so already:
Straight From The Horse's Mouth: Mark Robinson
Hello and welcome to the 29th Straight From The Horse’s Mouth podcast on Horse and Field.
In a development that will affect all horse owners and their animals, the Northern Ireland Horse Board has launched a digital equine passport - find out more here:
NIHB launches digital passport for equines
An RTE Investigates documentary that aired last June, featuring Ireland’s only licensed equine abattoir, highlighted a number of issues regarding equine welfare and traceability and led to demands for further investigation.
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The Horse&Field calendar lists local equine activities and is updated on a daily basis. We are trying to make the calendar as comprehensive as possible and it currently lists shows and events right up until the spring, so if you know of any events that aren’t yet listed, please let us know by emailing: horseandfield@gmail.com!
Horse&Field Calendar
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