Horse Quencher is a new product to Ireland having been a huge success in the US and UK – across all equestrian disciplines and levels.

Horse Quencher is an all-natural product that will get your horse drinking immediately.

Created by an avid rider who had trouble getting her favourite mare to drink while travelling, Horse Quencher was embraced by many of the US and Canadian Event Team members and accompanied them to Hong Kong for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 to help curtail expected hydration issues during the Games.

Hydration is important for optimal health and performance – yet stress from travelling and competition, changes in weather, and illness are a few of the reasons horses will reduce their water intake, putting their health at risk.

Dehydration can result in muscle damage, reduced kidney function, laminitis, colic, even death, or can simply cause a competitive horse to perform less brilliantly. Horse Quencher is a proven solution.

If you’re interested in dehydration prevention or health and performance enhancement, then Horse Quencher has a place in your horse’s daily and competition regime. Horse Quencher is a FEI-safe product that looks like muesli and when you put a handful into a bucket of water, it gets horses drinking immediately. Part of the product floats on the top of the water to get the horse interested, and the rest flavours the water, while the heavier grains sink to the bottom and that’s what makes the horse drink and lick the bucket clean. Horse Quencher is not an electrolyte. It is a hydration product to get the horse to drink right away, to get him hydrated.

Gina Miles – American event rider and Olympic Silver Medallist – is an advocate. “Whenever I travel with my horses, I worry they won’t drink enough; with Horse Quencher, my top horse McKinlaigh drank like a champ on the long flights to the Olympics.”

Horse Quencher is also a ‘must have’ for Alice Pearson, GB Junior and Young Rider Eventing Squad Member. She says: “Horse Quencher is by far the best product I have ever used. To be able to prove ‘you can take a horse to water but you can’t make it drink’ wrong is quite exceptional. Horse Quencher has made worrying about my horses drinking a thing of the past. Since I have used Horse Quencher there is no fuss with drinking now, and this makes me very pleased as dehydration can cause loss of performance, quite apart from being bad for health. Horse Quencher is such a handy product, it’s so easy to use, and can be carried anywhere.”

Horses involved in strenuous activities benefit from Horse Quencher since high-stress performances deplete water reserves very quickly and if not replaced, these can rapidly lead to serious health and performance-hindering issues. Horse Quencher has been shown to negate the negative impact of not being properly hydrated on performance. It is a natural fit for equine athletes of every sport and level and a ‘must-have’ for casual and professional riders for convincing their fussy friends to drink.

As the saying infers, getting a horse to consume the appropriate amount of water can be difficult. Horse Quencher entices your horse to drink – it is irresistible, even to the fussiest horse! A wise use of Horse Quencher could also benefit horses with various health problems including colonic impactions where one of the classic problems is their refusal to drink. Horses in high-stress situations, such as frequent travelling, showing, or racing, and horses which are eating poorly (for example, those recovering from surgery or illness), also can benefit from Horse Quencher. An ever-increasing number of vets are recommending Horse Quencher for all manner of issues which predominantly all emanate from the need to keep horses hydrated and drinking regularly, especially those that have been through the trauma of operations. Also, many dehydration signs in horses are sub clinical (not obvious), so horse owners need to err on the side of prevention is better than cure.
Horses are particular about the water they drink, and may not drink water they’re not used to, says David Scott, senior practitioner of Isle Veterinary Group. As a veterinary surgeon and rider I usually find that this is when their fluid needs are at their highest. For years, horse owners have tried numerous tricks to get their horses to drink, adding apple juice, molasses or other treats to the water. Horse Quencher, he said, has been a hit with most horses he’s given it to.

Available in 4 flavours: apple, mint, butterscotch and root beer, Horse Quencher comes in handy individual sachets, travel-size tubs, and larger tubs for bigger yards. At £3 a sachet and £1 a tub measure, Horse Quencher is inexpensive ‘health insurance’ to have to hand for when you need your horse to drink. It’s a lot cheaper than a vet bill for colic and a lot easier to carry than gallons of home water.

Just add Horse Quencher to a bucket of water — and give your horse that healthy head start.

For more information see http://www.mackeyequestrian.com/Shopping/Product/329-Horse-Quencher.aspx

Things have been tough over the last few weeks and I had to take a short break from competition due to the passing of my father. It was been very hard, but we are coping and trying to get back on the go.

The horses had been jumping very well. Amigo was fifth in his first jump off at the maryville final. Also Parco was fifth in the 1.20 at the final.

I returned to the arena on Saturday last with just two horses to start. It was the final of the Equestrian centres, held at Maryville.
Parco was very good, a little fresh and had a fence down in the combination. Serpent of Lux was in flying form. She won the 1.20 and we were joint first in the 1.30.

She went home with two new rugs from her days work. I put her on 10 per cent feed instead of twelve and it seems to help keep her level.

I am aiming Lux at the Munster grand prix in midleton next weekend. We will follow the league after that.

Sunday 5th June 2011

Showjumping Classes Kindly Sponsored By Mackey Ireland

Starting at 9.30am sharp
Clear Round Primary/Adv Primary (entries close @ 10.00am, class finishes @10.30)
Primary Showjumping
Adv Primary Showjumping
Pairs Competition Adv Prim + Prim (optimum time)
Clear Round (Intermediate)
B / Green Horse Class
Intermediate Showjumping
Pairs Competition Intermediate (fastest time)
Clear Round (Adv Intermediate/Open)
Adv Intermediate Showjumping
Open Showjumping
Pairs Competition Adv Inter + Open (fastest time)

Working Hunter kindly sponsored by town and Country

Starting at 12.30
Novice: Primary & Adv. Primary Competitors (70 cm)
Intermediate, Adv. Intermediate & Open Competitors (90cm)
Showing kindly Sponsored by Equipet
Cob Class, Small Hunter, Lightweight Hunter & Mediumweight Hunter
1st & 2nd Placed horses from each qualify for the Overall Champion & Reserve Champion.

Dressage kindly sponsored by Equipet

Primary – Open
Dressage starts @ 9am with Primary
Tests as per Festival Programme Dressage Entries to Martina (0862388478) Info@ChevalRidingClub.com before Wed 1st June Times available on the Cheval Website www.ChevalRidingClub.com from Fri 3rd June or alternatively from Martina on Fri 3rd June between 7pm-9pm

Entries: €16 per Class/€43 for 3 classes/€53 for 4 classes

Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd & Rosettes 1st – 6th

Prizes in kind for Pairs Competition

Championship Ribbons for Showing Champion & Reserve Champion

Enquires to Secretary – Martina (0862388478)/Michelle (087 9895055) or e-mail: info@chevalridingclub.com

The committee reserve the right to cancel or amend the show or any classes without prior notice

We’ve had a nice spring season eventing so far. Ballinaclough was a nice confidence building round. With relaxation improving in the dressage things are all starting to come into place finally!!!!

Following Ballinaclough we decided to back to Ballinenisk to do a CCI before Tatts. The dressage could have been better as Bonnie boiled over somewhat, but that is one of the joys of having a blood, fit horse in dressage!!! In the showjumping he was as good as ever, giving a lovely clear round. Cross country was a different story, however, and has raised a few issues regarding bits!! He is so bold XC, nothing fazes him and a steering issue meant that a fence caught us out. This was majorly disappointing, but at the end of day with horses you have to take the good with the bad.

From now our run up to Tattersalls will be spent working on our dressage!!!! With more time in the field and less food I’m hoping his frame of mind will be better. Joyce and Ruth Gaynor will be down soon to make sure all his muscles are loose and in working order. Our next outing will be Glandoran, just for the dressage and jumping. The last thing we need is a silly bump XC before we head off to Tattersalls! Wish me luck!

Connemara Pony World 2011 will be taking place at Boswell Equestrian, Co. Wicklow on Saturday the 4th June. Now in its second year, this well supported event will see some of the best Connemara ponies in action.

This years show is set to double in size with over 25 classes on offer including Ireland’s first Olympia Mountain and Moorland Ridden Qualifier and a new High Jump class kindly sponsored by Deloitte.

Meet the Judges

This years line up of judges is a selection of the best judges across the UK and Ireland. The ridden classes are being judged by Sarah Challinor, Paula Cullen and Denise Norton.

Sarah is well known in the UK having won the Horse of the Year Show on several occasions on different Mountain and Moorland ponies that she produced herself. The 13 in-hand classes will be judged by the much respected Philip Scott and the UK Mountain and Moorland panel judge Mrs Nicola Shuttleworth. Finally the 3 year old loose jumping qualifier for the Clifden final has Frank Burke examining the ponies that will be presented to him.

Meet the Committee

The committee is a mixture of equestrian enthusiasts from different backgrounds – some into ponies, some not. The show was founded by Lucinda Kelly, an all round equestrian competitor who’s had Connemaras since she was 15 and has won the Dublin Horse Show and had many placings and Championships over the years.

Denise Norton, proprietor of Edenmist Stud, has been involved in hunting, racing, eventing, showing and show jumping all her life and through her years competing different breeds and types of horses and ponies, she has found nothing to compare to the Connemara pony. Denise tells us “they are athletic and intelligent and with correct schooling and training they excel and are second to none”

Committee member PJ Watson has definitely a bit of a contrast in his work with the Homeless Charity Focus Ireland and the family run business Rosscon Farm in Athlone. PJ regularly rides and competes having recently had the honour of judging the Workers at the British Connemara Breed Show .He is also is an agent for Brightwells Bloodstock UK and has served for two years on the CPBS marketing committee along with fellow committee member Denise Norton.

Lucinda has roped her boyfriend Captain Brian Curran Cournane into the mix with his friend Dermot Murphy. This team will look after the development of the performance classes including the building of the High Jump wall, loose jumping track and working hunter courses. Brian competes on the Irish team in 3 day eventing and is aiming for the Europeans in Germany this year and the Olympics next year in London.

Last to the mix is Avril Kelly, breeder of the Dunran ponies. Residing in Ashford, Avril will look after all local activity including accommodation and catering on the day. Avril will work closely with Boswell to ensure everything runs smoothly.

What else can we expect?

This year’s show is set to double in size from last years inaugural one. The Olympia qualifier will certainly attract some of the best ponies from around the country as will the loose jumping qualifier for the Finals at Clifden.

Also new to the show schedule, The Horseware® Ireland Search for a Star Class has been introduced to showcase some of the most talented upcoming performance ponies. In a brand new format, ponies will have to demonstrate their ability both on the flat and over fences. Combinations will be required to jump a full course of jumps, and following this element, ponies will be ridden by their judges to assess their movement and behaviour in walk, trot and canter.

The classes will be divided into two sections, the first of which is open to four- year- old registered ponies, with no restriction on rider’s age.The jumping height in this class will not exceed 80cm. Ponies placed in the first five places will also qualify for the Irish Connemara Green Hunter Final at Clifden show, the first of two chances to do so, the other being at Corrandulla show later in the month.

The Search for a Star, five-year- olds division is open to five-year- old registered ponies, again with no restriction on rider’s age. This category will follow the same format as the four-year-old division with ponies being required to jump 90cms.

The Search for a Star Championship is open to first and second placed ponies from both classes. The Champion and Reserve Champion will then qualify for the Supreme Ridden Championship.

The show committee are encouraging UK ponies to come over and compete to see how they fair against the Irish ponies. There is stabling available on site and evening entertainment has been arranged for the Saturday night down the road with free finger food and music.

Make a Day of it

This is a great chance for horsey and non-horsey folk to have a look at our native ponies in action. There is no entrance fee on the day and the venue is 5 minutes off the N11. It’s a lovely day out for folk looking to do something different on the June Bank Holiday Saturday. The show would not be a success without the kind support from this years key sponsors: Deloitte, Horsefirst, Native Pony Magazine, Gain, Horseware, Equinet, Ireland’s Horse and Pony, Brightwells, Dodds Pharmacy, Jean McClancy, Mackey Ireland, Noel Noonan, Nupafeed, Oldmill Stud, The Connemara Pony Company, Thornbrook Stud, TRI Ireland and www.scartsergeant.com.

www.connemaraponyworld.com

www.boswellequestrian.ie

www.facebook.com/connemaraponyworld

The Mackey Equestrian Irish Pony Club Championships were held in brilliant sunshine on Saturday April 30^th at Crecora Lodge, home of the Furnell family in Co Limerick. Hunter Trials are quite definitely one of the fun competitions that The Irish Pony Club holds each year. This lovely location was host to 429 young members representing a total of 36 branches, in four major competitions. This course at Crecora Lodge is home turf for the Limerick branch of The Irish Pony Club and they were out in force to help the organising national committee make the day a memorable one.

Charles Owen Teams of Three

The course could be best described as a flowing one with challenges for the rider in that control and skill were a necessary factor, 22 fences of varying difficulties, combinations at angles that needed careful and controlled riding, not easy to achieve with teams of three riders. There were two knock able fences numbers 14 and 17 that were to determine the outcome of the team championship. In an effort to increase the numbers in this, the main championship there was a change of age eligibility, it had the desired effect with 49 teams contesting, 25 branches in their distinctive colours riding to claim this prestigious team cup. There was not one clear round on the final result sheet, two teams had an elusive 5 penalties, Duhallow and North Kilkenny Red, clear in all other areas, water, stone fences beautifully built, combinations that were designed to catch the unwary, so only time was to separate them. Duhallow Hunt Branch of Timothy Barnby, Kate O Donovan, and Edmund Healy were victorious in a time of 4. 13 bringing glory to Duhallow for the first time in this competition. North Kilkenny Red were second with 4.58 on the score sheet , Michael Brennan, Mary Pat Sullivan and Sadbh Waldron were proud recipients of the blue rosettes. South Union Pink had 10 faults again at the knockables, a time of 4.11. This team were remarkable because they were three sisters, Grace, Adrienne and Alice Copithorne, all seasoned hunting people delighted to accept the yellow ribbons. Kilkenny Lions, Laois Blue and Wexford Gold came in the 4^th,fifth and sixth slots.

Mackey Ireland Senior Pairs Championships.

Ten Senior Pairs took on the course next with again the knockable fences being the big deterrent to the elusive clear round. Galway Mid County, again a branch for the first time enjoying success at this level came in first with a time of 3.49 and 5 faults. The recipients of The Eoin Kehoe Cup were Laura Kaar and Cillian Ryan. Warrington Blue’s final tally was 10 faults and 4.1 8 on the clock, enough for second, followed by Laois Blue one second behind, West Waterford, Clare and Louth filling the other slots.

The Carr and Day Junior Pairs Championships.

135 pairs fought hard to win the Sarah Miller Trophy on a course modified to the required height, again flowing but designed to improve riding skills and experience in pairs. There was some fine riding to be seen here with excellent turn out of both horse and riders. South Galway were to be the name on the trophy for the first time having the clear that had eluded so many before, their time was 3.55. Keely Farrell and Michelle Staunton were this team’s members. Ciara Tyrell and Emer Hegarty, clear, time 5.02 for the Kildare branch followed in second, Loughlin Hogan and Pat Byrne from Kilkenny filled the third slot. Kilkenny Red, Scarteen Black and Limerick Yellow came in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th.

This was a day where the traditional skills of Pony Club members were to be seen in abundance with lots of fun in the mix, a good course, wonderful weather and good organisation made for a memorable Championships. The addition of our long association with sponsor Mackey Ireland gave an extra boost to these Championships.The prize giving ceremonies were a joyous affair with the array of very valuable prizes on offer. We look forward to returning to Crecora next year. 2012.

Primary Dressage

1 Jenny Darley Feel No Shame Ashbrook

2 Eimear O’Rourke FCD Something Special Ashbrook

3 Sarah O’Neill Samantha Boyneside

4 Jane Averill Moneybo Black Jack Ashbrook

5 Laura Costello Manhatton Rock Solid Kilrainey

6 Barbara Redmond Archie Drynam

Dressage – AP

1 Nicola Barrett Katie Drynam

2 Mary Duff Collenmore Class Castlehill

3 Sharon Bennett Quiet Confidance Broadmeadows

4 Patricia Leonard Gullivars Travels Killossery

5 Ruth Clinton Oscar Castle hill

6 Martina Towell Sparkalark Cheval

Dressage – Inter

1 Gerry O’Byrne Goldmine Cheval

2 Gerry Kenny Joker Milsetone Lodge

3 Mags Aughney FCD Something Special Ashbrook

4 Dearbhaile Fitzsimons Eirn Son of Mable Ashbrook

=5 Deidre Arthur McBee Broadmeadows

=5 Jenny Crowley Black Ard Will Ashbrook

Dressage – AI

1 Margo Monaghan Samar Callaigstown

2 John Gavin FCD Touch of Class Ashbrook

3 Edel King Renkum Black Magic Tara Hill

4 Jane Whitaker Ambrose Copperfield

5 Claudine Kerr Tequila Cheval

6 Eithna O’Hanrahan Jo Jo Dundalk

Dressage – Open

1 Michael Moore Guaranteed Gold Ashbrook

2 Bernie Foley Smart Coin Cheval

3 Louise Duffy Assesed Castlehill

4 Louise Duffy Silverback Castlehill

5 Jane Bolton Killough Benedict Broadmeadows

Dressage – Young Horse

1 Lisa Kennedy Pembroke Life on Mars Killossery

2 Jackie Layng Killagha Star King Killossery

DERBY

Derby Primary

1 Sarah Kileen Ashsar Diamond Flight Boyneside

2 Patricia Leonard Gulllivers Travels ?

Derby – Advanced Primary

1 Noel Cullen Petite Danielle Milestone Lode

2 Barbara Mackey Kali Ashbrook RC

3 Rachael Switzer Jameson Joker Cheval

4 Mags Aughney FCD Something Special Ashbrook RC

5 Sarah Richradson Red Square Eight Boyneside

6 Christina Mullan Swan View Mirah Cheval

Derby – Intermediate

1 Sarah Burke William Milestone

2 Mary Harkness Toby Killossery

3 Vincent Doyle Muirin Cavallo

4 Bernie Foley Smart Coin Cheval

5 Emma Flood Diamond Fantasia Castlehill

6 Deirdre Arthur McBee Broadmeadows

Derby Novice B

1 Lisa Kennedy Pembroke Life on Mars Killossery

2 Martin O’Brien Fingal

3 Fionnuala O’Reilly Carraigh Rua Tara Hill

4 Linda Manning Sammy Killossery

Derby – AI

1 Laura Snow Solsboro Silver Pearl Drynam

2 Marnie Crerar Daddy Long Legs Boyneside

3 John Gavin FCD Touch of Class Ashbrook

4 Jennifer Cowley Black Ard Wil Ashbrook

5 Sophie Marks Catch 22 Drynam

WORKING HUNTER

Working Hunter – Novice

1 Sonia O’Brien A Boss Calliaghstown

2 Mary Duff Collenmore Class Castle Hill

3 Tracey McKeown Cotton Sox Castle Hill

4 Una McGettigan Tonlagee Two for Joy Copperfield

5 Sarah Richradson Red Square Eight Boyneside

6 Barbara Mackey Kali Ashbrook

Working Hunter – Inter

1 Jane Richardson Zanadu Boyneside

2 Claire Sherwin Feidhlim Kilronan

3 Maria Mulligan Fort Apache Dundalk

4 Emma McQuaile French Tiffany Castle Hill

5 Mags Brannigan Father of Four Ashbrook

6 Catherine Slevin Broadmeadows

Working Hunter – Open

1 Louise Duffy Silverback CastleHilll

2 John Gavin FCD Touch of Class Ashbrook

3 Aileen Bradish Blanc et Noir Cheval

4 Jennifer Cowley Black Ard Will Ashbrook

Working Hunter – Inter B

1 Martin King Paul’s Fancy Milestone Lodge

2 Fionnuala O’Reilly Carraigh Rua Tara Hill

Working Hunter Champion

Louise Duffy Silverback Castlehill

Working Hunter Reserve Champion

Sonia O’Brien A Boss Calliaghstown