Yesterday was a great success in Maryville. We had a good day and the course was a fantastic start to the year. Charlie was obviously very green and a bit afraid of everything but he managed very well in such a spooky arena. He was most afraid of the potted plants!!! He did a very nice first round and then ran out of steam in the second! He finished with four faults! I was very happy with him.
Luxie flew around with a lovely clear in the 1.20.

They all enjoyed a long day out in the field yesterday! A well deserved bit of R and R (Charlie enjoyed rolling in the muck of course!)

Mackey Ireland is delighted to sponsor an innovative new program put in place by the SJI to provide riders with a defined and structured focus for their training – the SJI Five Bar Training System.

Successfully launched at the end of last year in the RDS, the SJI Five Bar Training System, supported by Mackey Ireland, is focused upon providing a structure within which riders can work to improve their performance at competition level in the Showjumping arena and many riders are already seeing the benefits. Regardless of whether a rider is new to show jumping or has been competing for many years, the SJI Five Bar Training System is designed to support a rider’s development and give recognition for their progression and achievements.

Members enter the system on the level most appropriate to their current ability, with the 1st Bar acting as an introductory level for those new to the sport. The system goes up the grades to the highest level – the 5th Bar level – which is awarded to riders who have achieved a depth of experience, both in competition and in the preparation of their horses.
ShowjumpingIreland is committed to raising standards of Show Jumping and supporting its members to achieve their maximum potential and Mackey Ireland are delighted to provide support and assistance to the SJI through this sponsorship.

We’ll keep you up to date on how the scheme progresses, but if you would like anymore information on how to get involved and learn about the benefits of the new SJI Five Bar Training System, supported by Mackey Ireland, see http://www.sji.ie/Training/tabid/104/Default.aspx

Things are slowly getting back on track for the season! The evenings are getting longer and with a bit of luck we will get some dry weather!

The horses are finally clipped and getting fit. They are ready to start their show season this week. Tomorrow I will bring Charlie and Luxie to Cork for a school and Saturday I will get them to Maryville for their first show. I hope to Have Luxie well geared up for the Maryville Grand Prix in March.

Saturday night the Cork Kerry awards are on in Macroom. It should be a good social night.

We hope you all survived the terrible weather that we had at the weekend…let’s hope the worst is behind us, but the forecast for later in the week isn’t good unfortuantely.

We’re delighted to announce the winner of our latest web site competition to win a Mackey Ireland Lugnaquilla Plus Turnout Rug. Our lucky winner is Marian Walsh from Tipperary. Well done Marian!

Keep checking back by our web site as we’ll have another great competition soon!

With a high neck design to keep your horse super warm and cosy, this heavy weight turnout rug features a 1680 Denier Ballistic Outer for extreme durability, is fully waterproof & breathable and features 300g of Filling.

Mackey Ireland is delighted to announce its sponsorship of the SJI National Training Clinic for 2011. Ireland possesses an enormous depth of talent in its show jumping ranks and it’s essential that such talent is nurtured and groomed for future success. Over the last number of years the SJI National Training Clinic has trained and produced some of Ireland’s very successful young riders and with four days of intense flat and jumping training, it comes highly recommended from those who have attended in the past and the Mackey Ireland National Training Clinic looks set to ensure that such a tradition of excellence will continue well into the future.

Mackey Ireland is totally dedicated to the Irish equestrian industry and in helping to ensure that young Irish talent is given every opportunity to develop the skills needed for national and international success.

Selection for the Mackey Ireland National Training Clinic is open to riders aged 16 – 23 on the 1st January and will commence during the week of 19th February to 26th February. Each region will hold a two day assessment clinic from which the top ten riders will go forward to an All Ireland Final to be held in Tubberbride Riding Centre, Co. Sligo on 19th and 20^th March. From the forty riders at the final the top 20 (with a minimum of 3 riders from each region) will be selected to attend the National Training Clinic, to be held from 16th April – 20th April at Barnadown, Co Wexford.

A place at the National Training Clinic is valued at €3,000 per person and the assessment clinics will ensure that the top young riders are in attendance and benefit from access to this top class training.

Regional Assessment details: Open to all young riders trying for selection to National Training Clinic.
Ulster Region
19th & 20th February 2011 – Venue Necarne
Ian Fearon (showjumping)
Anna Dangerfield (flat)
Contact: Katy Saunders 00 44 7733 913357

Munster Region
Date tbc
Venue tbc
Coaches tbc
Contact: Michael Costello 085 7666007

Connaught Region
21st & 22nd Feb 2011 – Claremorris CSOE, Co. Mayo
Cameron Hanley (showjumping)
Anne Marie Dunphy (flat)
Contact: Liam Murphy 085 7346805

Leinster Region
21st & 22nd February 2011 – Kildare International, Co. Kildare
Neal Fearon (showjumping)
Lise Helberg (flat)
Contact: Rosemary Rice 086-0444068

All Ireland Final Selection
19th – 20th March 2011 – Tubberbride Riding Centre, Co. Sligo

National Training Clinic
16th – 20th April 2011 – Barnadown Equestrian, Co. Wexford

For more information see www.sji.ie