At its meeting last Tuesday the Board of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) appointed the following individuals as Chairpersons for the various High-Performance Committees for 2018.

Showjumping:

  • Senior Show jumping – Gerry Mullins
  • Underage Show jumping (YR/JR/CoH) – Sally Anne Tobin
  • Pony High Performance Show jumping – Kieran O’Gorman

    • Eventing:

  • Senior Eventing – Don Hannigan
  • Under-age Eventing (Pony/JR/YR) – Pat Coleman

    • Dressage and Para-Dressage:

  • Senior and Underage Dressage and Para Dressage- Robert McCormick

    • Endurance:

  • David Cunningham

    • In 2017 HSI undertook an internal review of its high-performance governance structures, inclusive of the applicable terms of reference, as agreed by the Board of HSI.

    Each committee operates within defined terms of reference, which provide clarity regarding the roles and responsibilities in order to deliver podium finishes for Team Ireland.

    Irish one two in Dubai

    Tipperary’s Shane Breen and Derry-born David Simpson filled the top two places in Saturday’s 1.45m accumulator competition at the five-star Dubai Show Jumping championships, which are being held at Emirates Equestrian Club in the United Arab Emirates.

    The Irish pair both picked up the maximum 65 points, with Breen guiding the Team Z7-owned Can Ya Makan to the fastest clear in 49.22 seconds to take home the top prize of just over €7,000. Simpson meanwhile stopped the clock in 50.96 with the 11-year-old stallion Unex Cognac IV to take runner-up spot and almost €6,000. Ramzy Al Duhami from Saudi Arabia took third place of the 34 starters with High Quality J in a time of 52.73.

    National hunt trainers' championship

    Meath-based trainer, Gordon Elliott is nearly half a million clear in the Irish National Hunt Trainer’s Championship after adding another €80,000 to his tally at Thurles on Sunday.

    Since the start of November Elliott has got the better of his chief rival, Willie Mullins, on every Sunday there has been racing in Ireland bar two (disincluding Christmas Eve).

    There is still much to play for however, with three big festivals at home to be conquered. There will be €1.5m up for grabs at next week’s Dublin Racing Festival, €1.1m at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival and then €2.9m at the Punchestown Festival, where it seems a near certainty the title will be decided again.