Another year of success
Our Review of the Year shows the range of activities Treo Eile provides for the thoroughbred.
THE FOUNDATIONS laid over the past two years have opened wonderful opportunities for ex-racehorses in 2023, at all levels and in many disciplines. The first quarter of the year is primarily a time for training and introduction of the thoroughbred to its second career. We were thrilled when Randox Health Ireland came on board again this year to sponsor a series of 10 training clinics, increasing from three clinics in 2021. It allowed us to bring on board a top team of coaches and expand our performance training. Companies such as Connolly’s Red Mills, Baileys Horse Feeds and Topspec all enhanced our clinics with individual and bespoke advice for all our riders.
Our annual sponsorship commenced with four arena eventing leagues – Flexi Eventing in the north, Starter Stakes in the west, Killossery Lodge in the east and Stepping Stones to Success in Wexford. From Stepping Stones to podium Eventing aligns so well with the attributes of the thoroughbred and the Stepping Stones to Success league kicked off a great season for the podium winners. The five-year-old once-raced Gervada won the league with owner Charlotte Walsh, before handing over the ride to Chloe Fagan when being placed among other breeds at the Young Event Horse Series qualifiers.
It was a proud moment to see Gervada joined at the Young Event Horse Series final at the Dublin Horse Show by the unraced Thistledown Delboy and David Furlong, to be the first thoroughbreds to be placed at the RDS final and receive the Treo Eile Bonuses along the way.
Second and third placed winners at the Wexford venue, Lilymai Berry (Skylanna Scatman, ex point-to-pointer) and Tekka Whelan (Fortunate Max, ran on the Flat) went on to win the Treo Eile Eventing League and Highest Placed Thoroughbred respectively at the Irish Pony Club Eventing Championships.
With the number of teenagers riding thoroughbreds on the increase, we expanded our talks and demonstrations to Pony Club branches and extended our sponsorship of training bursaries to IPC disciplines and interschools show jumping.
Showing: a perfect start.
It was fantastic to see new thoroughbreds and new faces appear on the showing scene during the summer. The show ring is a great learning tool for the transitioned racehorse, teaching calmness when riding in company and manners in the line up. While covered under its own heading, the Tattersalls Ireland Treo Eile Showing Pathway Series has stamped the ex-racehorse classes amongst the established ridden classes in the showing calendar. Throughout the 2023 season Treo Eile sponsorship extended to 19 shows around the country, catering for novice and open racehorses in their second career.
Top horses winning at dressage
Dressage whether at National or Riding Club level is well positioned on our sponsorship list. Graded winners Arvika Ligeonniere and Renneti together with Star Of Rubykan have been among our prize winners in the past year.
Show jumping League
A new venture for Treo Eile in 2023 was the sponsorship of a showjumping league, which was run in line with the 5* Tour. The inaugural winner was the Teofilo gelding Teo’s Chance and Bernadette Curry.
Eventing League
It is rewarding to see that our sponsorship of the Treo Eile Thoroughbred Eventing League has resulted in thoroughbreds now accounting for six per cent ofEventing Ireland’s overall horse registrations. Speed, agility and quick thinking aligns the thoroughbred with this career path. Amy Walsh and the three-time hurdle winner Trucking Along, were the clear winners of the league that ran throughout the eventing season.
Amy Walsh & Trucking Along (Photo courtesy of Louise O’Brien Photography)
Acknowledging Highest Placed Thoroughbreds at home-based Internationals, what a performance by Steven Smith and Handsome Starr (by September Storm) to win the 2* class at the Ballindenisk International in April.
New polo tournaments
The interesting fact that thoroughbreds make up over 80 per cent of polo ponies playing in Ireland boosted our involvement with Polo. While primarily played on fillies up to 15.2hh, Treo Eile rewarded a low-goal and high-goal playing thoroughbred at club tournaments. Also recognised were the retrainers of these thoroughbreds, who are the initial contact with the racehorse trainers and owners.
For the horses exceeding this height, polo crosse is increasing in popularity and we sponsored the four levels at the National Finals in September recognising the thoroughbred participation.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook Instagram X to keep up to date on the success of our Treo Eile members and for news on events coming up.
Dates for your diary for this year are now live here and will be updated regularly!
