Plenty of Kildare interest in star-studded line-up for Treo Eile's Christmas show
Treo Eile, an organisation set up to support and promote the retraining of racehorses, is having their Christmas show on Thursday, December 14 at the Emerald Equestrian Centre near Enfield.
The aim of the event is to showcase the versatility of the thoroughbred transitioning to a second career. Treo Eile has received great support from the racing and breeding industries for this exciting day of thoroughbred show jumping.
The first of five events on the show programme starts at 1pm, featuring the HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic – a team competition to showcase the very best of Ireland's retrained racehorses. The team competition has attracted some of racing’s brightest stars to captain the teams including Rachael Blackmore, Jack Kennedy, Gary Carroll, Patrick Mullins, Robbie Power, Rory Cleary, Katie Walsh, Davy Russell, Norman Wiliamson and Charlie Swan.
Each team captain will be joined by two show jumping or eventing competitors and a pony rider who will each ride a variety of former racehorses over a course of jumps followed by a jump off to decide the winners of the coveted Horse Racing Ireland Perpetual Cup.
Professional riders include Dublin Horse Show’s puissance winner, Commandant Geoff Curran from the Irish Army Equitation School, Olympic eventer Joseph Murphy and European medallist, Elizabeth ‘Esib’ Power will also line-out for the team event.
Former jockey Robbie Power will be reunited with Sizing John to try and add the HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic Cup to their trophy cabinet. The pair were victorious in three Gold Cups in 2017: the Leopardstown Gold Cup, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup.
Robbie, who was involved in retraining Sizing John with his sister Elizabeth and has Sizing John at his home, said, “The Treo Eile Christmas show is a fantastic event and our family is delighted to be a part of it. Watching these horses turn their hand to a new job is very rewarding and says so much about their versatility.
“When he is not enjoying his leisurely life hacking around, John loves competing – he showed it on the racecourse and at the Dublin Horse Show last August when he won the hotly contested ITM Racehorse to Riding Horse class with Kate Harrington on board. He will be primed and ready for Thursday December 14.”
John Osborne, Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director at HRI, said, “The Treo Eile Christmas show brings all equestrian industries together and shows how versatile the thoroughbred is in terms of adjusting to a different lifestyle after racing and it’s wonderful to see these horses still going strong years later.”
Racing TV's Kevin O'Ryan, one of the MCs for the evening, said, "The Treo Eile Christmas show is a brilliant event for all the family and includes the very best human and equine athletes from both the racing and sports horse industries. It highlights the abilities of the thoroughbred racehorse and how easily they can transition after racing into other disciplines. There are now lots more opportunities for retiring racehorses and the Treo Eile programme encourages their participation."
Tickets are €15pp. and family tickets are €40 for two adults and two children. Parking is free but limited so all spectators are asked to register online for a car parking space.
To buy tickets, register for a car parking space and to make entries, visit: https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/te
Treo Eile Christmas show programme
1pm The Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd. Thoroughbred Discovery
80cm, two-phase class open to 4yo+ thoroughbred horses registered with Weatherbys or equivalent stud book. Competitors 18yo and under have separate prizes. Entries open online https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/te)
3pm The equip Pony Christmas Cracker
80cm, two-phase class format open to ponies up to 14.2hh and children not older than 14 years old on December 31 2023. Restricted to one pony per child. Entries open online https://www.itsplainsailing.com/org/te )
5pm Course walk for show jumping teams
5:30pm The Moyglare Stud Parade of Champions
Douvan. Al Boum Photo, Renneti, Faugheen, Tiger Roll, Woodland Opera, General Principle, Arvika Ligeonniere, Milliner, Briar Hill and Sizing John.
6pm The HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic
Celebrity team competition with a host of racing and equestrian stars.
HRI Treo Eile Thoroughbred Classic teams:
Rachael Blackmore, County Tipperary - team captain
Mia De Bromhead, County Waterford
Sarah Curry, County Wicklow
Lucca Stubington, County Antrim
Gary Carroll, County Kildare - team captain
Timmy Considine, County Meath
Jo Andrews, County Meath
Emma Sweeney, County Meath
Rory Cleary, County Kildare - team captain
Orla Cleary, County Kildare
Felicity Ward, County Cork
Sarah Gayer, County Cork
Jack Kennedy, County Kerry – team captain
Paddy Finnegan, County Meath
Seanin Mahon, County Meath
Amy Parsons, County Meath
Patrick Mullins, County Carlow - team captain
Ronan Duffy, County Kildare
Louise Duffy, County Meath
Stephanie McGlynn, County Kildare
Robbie Power, County Meath - team captain
Lucy Kent, County Waterford
Jamie Buckley, County Meath
Elizabeth 'Esib' Power, County Meath
Davy Russell, County Cork - team captain
Lily Russell, County Cork
Joseph Murphy, County Down
Rachael O'Callaghan, County Westmeath
Charlie Swan, County Tipperary - team captain
Kiki Curran, County Meath
Geoff Curran, County Meath
Olivia Swan, County Tipperary
Katie Walsh, County Kildare - team captain
Eliza Wardell, County Wicklow
Sarah Wardell, County Wicklow
Amy Walsh, County Cork
Norman Williamson, County Meath - team captain
Kian 'Tubs' McNally, County Armagh
Carla Williamson, County Meath
Emma Newsam, County Down