There will be three Training evenings held free of charge on the 9th, 16th and 23rd of July.

6th July - Map Reading.

16th July - Map Reading and exam at the end of the night (the exam is optional and a cerificate will be recieved for those who take the exam and pass).

23rd July - Time Keeping.

The Training nights will be run by Kevin Croke and for further details contact Kevin on (085)1565188.

There will be a child protection course on the 7th of July in Horse Sport Ireland, Millenium Park, Naas from 19:30 to 21:30. All members are encouraged and welcome to attend a useful course which is free of charge. For further details please contact Terri Moore at (059) 9147750.

The next race in the series will be run on the 24th of August 2008 in Portlaw, Co. Waterford. 

Contact: Emer Lennon (086) 2470340
 

Peter & Andrea o'Carroll are Ride Organisers on the day for Inistioge on Sunday and their mobile no is 0873152087.  All prior enquiries to Emer Lennon please.

The Glenariff (25th May) and Slieveanorra ride (22nd June) will be providing the routes for the Home International/Celtic Challenge events in August.

The Leinster Committee would like to inform the members that there are now two new “Life President’s” for the ILDRA. These are Kevin Croke and Kath Conly.

It is intended to hold a meeting of all riders, owners and crew of horses who are intending to qualify for selection and participation in the Irish Endurance Team for the 2009 European Endurance Championships.

This meeting will be held at 8 PM on the 10^th of Apr.

A venue will be decided based on an indication of interest from riders. A venue that is reasonably central will be selected.

The best available information is that the 2009 Championships will be held in Italy on a date to be decided. If you are not interested in going to Italy or in participating in the Irish Team then this is not the meeting for you. The 2009 Championships will hopefully be a building block for Kentucky 2010, but that is for another day.

It is most unlikely, but not impossible, that if the horse is not already Gold qualified that you will make the cut.

It would appear that the Committee reviewing Endurance Rules for the FEI are going to recommend the following,

1. The any combinations will have to qualify as a combination.
2. That the riding weight will be reduced to 70Kg.

I will outline my objectives for the team and how we might go about achieving them. It is intended to have a full and frank discussion at this meeting, so be prepared to,

1. Discuss your plans as a rider, owner or crew.
2. Discuss the whole concept of being a “TEAM MEMBER”.
3. Discuss your responsibility to your horse, to include your riding plan for this year. Use the ILDRA calendar and the FEI calendar as the basis for your plan.
4. Discuss your crew, its training, welfare and commitment.
5. Discuss the shortcomings that if addressed would improve the performance of potential members and de facto the teams performance.
6. Discuss your needs and any assistance that might be of value to you.

If we approach this matter in a sane, responsible and reasonable manner there is no reason why we should not have a TEAM, a confident TEAM, a good TEAM with high esprit de corps going out to Italy. The possibilities are in your hands, the riders, owners and crews. The horses will do their bit if they are given a fair chance in their preparations. Championships create a stress all of their own so it is imperative that all necessary planning and preparation it attended to.

If you feel that some who should know about this has not been informed please inform them.

I look forward to hearing from you and telling you the meeting location. You can text me your declaration of interest on               085 1565188       .  Regards, Kevin Croke.

The ride at Woodburn on the 12th of April 2008 will now have up to 80KM available to CTR riders.

Irish Long Distance Riding Association

Rules 3^rd Ed

Approved by the Board of Directors

Amendments Page 

 Those with existing rule books should enter the necessary amendments into them and maintain a record of amendments at the front of the book.

                                      Irish Long Distance Riding Association

Rules 3^rd Ed

Approved by the Board of Directors

Amendments

Section 3

Sec  3.2.8        Speed

3.2.8.3  Delete 10 – 16 KPH and replace with 12 – 16 KPH                Silver Final

3.2.8.5  Delete 11 KPH Min and replace with  12 KPH Min                 Gold Final

3.2.8.6  Delete 10 KPH Min and replace with  12 KPH Min                 Platinum Final

3.2.8.7  Delete 12 KPH Min and replace with  12 KPH Min                 Diamond Final

3.2.9        Insert after … through the qualification system “up to Gold Final”, and in combination ……

3.2.11 Insert after …. to regain Gold Status. “The same criteria shall apply to both Platinum and Diamond qualifications. The higher qualification always holding precedence”.

Insert

Section 3.9 Distances in excess of 80Km and Races

3.9.1        The Board of Directors may from time to time invoke special qualifications for entry and participation in distances over 80Km and Races both in FEI and Non FEI rides.

3.9.2        These qualifications will normally be successful completion by rider and horse, though not necessarily in combination, of a qualifying distance, at a prescribed minimum speed and where appropriate carrying a minimum weight.

3.9.3        These qualifications apply to Gold riders and Horses.

3.9.4        It is the riders responsibility to establish such qualifications from the ILDRA Sec.

Section 4  Vetting

4.1.4.2    Insert (<=60 BPM) between for heart rate …… etc.

4.1.5          After “a stallion must be presented in a bridle” insert “complete with bit for the inspection. He may have the bit removed during the hold period to allow free consumption of food. ”

Section 9  Juniors

9.7 Insert new “ Junior riders are not permitted to ride or be in control of a stallion at an ILDRA ride.

Section 12  Crews and Crewing

Replace Sec 12.3 with the following,

12.3     In the case of a (Silver) ride of 64 Km (40 Miles) or over riders must have a crew of sufficient number and sufficient mobility to enable the rider and the horse to be properly cared for before, during and after the ride, and for the horse to be recovered within a reasonable time in the event of a mid-ride retirement or elimination. The Organiser may refuse to allow to compete, or eliminate, a rider for breach of this rule.

12.4  All races irrespective of distance and distances over 80 Km must be crewed.

12.5  The Regional Committees of ILDRA may allow a horse and rider combinations to compete without a crew up to 80 Km where the Regional Committee are satisfied that the following condition applies,

12.5.1.  That the loop is not longer than 48 Km.

12.5.2. That there is a minimum of one water point every 16 Km or part there of, ideally evenly spaced along the course.

12.5.3. That the water point is adequate to cater for all horses competing.

12.5.4 Where the course is less than 20 KM in distance it is not necessary to have a water point on course.

12.5.5  That the organiser has applied for such a deviation from 12.3 in writing indicating the said water points on a map as appropriate showing the relative distances.   

12.4    Renumber as 12.6

12.5    Renumber as 12.7

12.6    Renumber as 12.8

12.7    Renumber as 12.9

Section 17 Definitions

Insert new

17.24      ILDRA Endurance Judge :  A person who has successfully completed an ILDRA Judges Course and has been appointed by ILDRA Board of Directors as an ILDRA Endurance Judge. An ILDRA Endurance Judge shall carry the same authority as a Veterinary Surgeon in the application of ILDRA rules.

17.25      Vetting : The expression vetting shall be deemed to be the inspection carried out by a Veterinary Surgeon or ILDRA Endurance Judge on a horse to ensure compliance with ILDRA rules at Bronze CTRs and by a Veterinary Surgeon only at higher distances and races of any distance.

Qualifications required under Sec 3.9 of ILDRA rules for 2008 and until further notice if not amended for future years. See rider responsibility Section 3.9.4

These qualifications are for horses and riders though not necessarily in combination.

Note these instructions only apply to Gold Qualified Horses and Riders as those with lower qualifications are not eligible to ride above 80 Km.

#   For 160 Km the horse must complete a 96 Km in the current year and must have completed a 120 Km within the last 24 months preceding the ride date.

• To be ridden at the weight prescribed in the ride schedule.

**  Only needs to be ridden at weight if the ride schedule prescribes a minimum weight.

++  For Marathons both the rider and horse must be Gold Qualified (See Sec 3.2.11) In addition the horse must have completed a distance of not less than 64 Km @ 16 KPH in the three months preceding the Marathon. 

Congratulations goes out to Peter and Andrea O Carroll on the birth of their new baby girl!!!

To Thomas Roche and Cora Keary on their recent engagement! We all wish them the best for their future together and hope they have many happy years together.

The Leinster committee would like to inform the membership about the pre-novice class. The pre-novice class involves competing in a pleasure ride in the usual way but in this class the horse will be vetted at the beginning and end of the ride. Mileage will still be awarded regardless of the result of the vetting.

There will be a Branch Training Day held on Sun 9th of March. The British team Vet Hugh Salmon will be attending to give the course so it’s a good opportunity to get expert help for free.

Location is Moat Farm in Donard. Start time 3pm finish time 5pm. All welcome ILDRA and non ILDRA no charge. Leinster are proposing to have a 10 mile ride out at 1pm (no charge) to be back and ready for 3pm. It will have an element of hands on and then a discussion forum in an informal manner.

For further information ring; Leinster committee: (089) 4116435 OR Emer Lennon:               (086) 2470340       

Hi,

As you are aware the BOD's have made a decision to institute an ILDRA Endurance Judges Course.

This course is for experienced persons, who on passing the course will be able to fulfill the role of the vet for rides up to Bronze level i.e. max of 48 Km or 30 M.

It is intended that those qualified would only be utilized when a vet was unavailable, this would alleviate the loss of rides allowing riders to ride up to Bronze level.

Course Info    

Location:                      Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny

Likely Date:                  07/08 Mar 2008

Likely Syllabus See Below.

Format:                        Theory & Practical

Main Lecturer:              Mr. Hugh Salmon

Ast Lecturer:                TBC

Likely Cost:                  €100 (to include course, B&B and meals)

Selection:                     12 places subject to demand and standard of applicant. Each

applicant to submit a CV on their horse experience and what makes them suitable for the course.  

Application Form:         Send E Mail to kevincroke@eircom.net for form.

And further details.

The Leinster Branch is delighted to announce their race ride series.

As we are all aware the level of competition amongst Gold level riders is to say the least pretty low key, whether this is due to being uncompetitive or a lack of opportunity I do not know. This HANDICAP series provides an opportunity for all Gold Series riders to be competitive. This will be achieved by the HANDICAP which will be assessed and reassessed after every race. This will in theory level out the playing field for horses and riders of varying ability by making time adjustments as times improve and / or dis-improve.

The series will be held over five races with a wide variation of courses and terrain. All entries will run off a Zero handicap in their first race. Ideally all entries will complete in the first of the series which will be held at Kinnity in the spring. With the final race at Sam's ride in Castleruddery. It is also intended to use Oldcourt, Inistioge and Donard

The best four places will count as your final score, so by riding in all five races you afford yourself the best opportunity to gain the highest possible score.  First place will get 10 Pts, Second 8 Pts, and Third 7 Pts and so on. All who participate in a ride are guaranteed a minimum of 1 Pt even if they are eliminated or retire.

Conditions: Horse and Rider must be Gold Qualified.

Preride Inspection: 60 BPM

Midway Inspection: 60 BPM Before and after Ridgeway: Presentation Time 20 Mins: Hold 30 Mins (Subject to Vet): 1 Represent within the 20 Mins Presentation time for BPM only.

Final Inspection: 60 BPM Before and after Ridgeway: Presentation Time 30 Mins: Only 1 presentation.

Start: Mass start to all races. 

Speed: There will a minimum speed of 12KPH over the whole course.

Entry Fee: €50 per race or Special Offer of €200 for all five if paid in advance.

In the event of equality of time, presentation time will be the deciding factor, then the heart rate.

Prizes: In kind for 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd overall, with a specially commissioned, one off, belt buckle in addition for the winner.  There will also be a prize for the rider with the best number of wins on their gross time (Actual race time without HANDICAP) if they are not the overall winner. In which case it will go to the fourth place rider.  

In addition there will be minor prizes for each leg of the series.

The results will be published on the WEB after each race with an updating of the table showing riders current position and their handicap for the next race.

Any queries to Kevin Croke who will be the Administrator for the series.  057 8756790 or 085 1565188. Bad mobile reception at home.