Stepping Stones To Success 

Upcoming Dates for 2023

We cant wait to welcome you back to Wexford Ec. We sincerely thank all our sponsors for standing behind us and making this happen!!!

Dates 2023

We are delighted to Announce that we have scheduled  dates for 2023  thanks to our loyal sponsors support. 

Obviously all plans are currently to run on the dates below however should any of the government guidelines change we will adhere in every way so therefore all dates are subject to change. We do however feel that riders, owners and producers need a goal to work towards and we hope that this at least we can offer. Please ensure to monitor our social media for all updates – ENTRIES will not be taken until the week prior so please be patient.

– –  

YOUNG EVENT HORSE CLASSES – Sponsored by CHILDERIC SADDLES – €6,000 

Bonus Prize fund TBA by Horse Sport Ireland will be added pending confirmation 

4 YR OLD YOUNG EVENT HORSE CLASS – Open to all horses age 4 – Inc Matron scheme if mare has had a foal – 

Overall league prize fund is €3,000 – 1-6th place see breakdown in prize fund section 

Trophy Sponsored by Varna Studios to Overall 4 yr old League winner  

 5 YR OLD YOUNG EVENT HORSE CLASS – Open to all horses age 5 yr old – inc matron scheme if mares have had a foal 

Overall league prize fund is €3,000 – 1-6th place see breakdown in prize fund section 

criteria and judging info please check relevant pages – Open to all Passports except white – No breeding recorded  

Thoroughbred to Competition Horse class  – Sponored by TREO EILE €2,500 Prize fund 

Supported by IHWT, Syndicate of Trainers and Riders inc COLIN BOWE RACING & DENIS HICKEY Garryrichards Stud 

William Codd Trophy Presented to the overall NOVICE league TB Winner 

As well as the 4 & 5 yr old eventing class , Wexford Equestrian owners Pat & Orla Peare have introduced a “ Thoroughbred  to Competition” horse class. The confirmed name of the class to be decided but the outline of this class is that it will offer any TB horse the opportunity to compete in a class similar to the existing 4&5 yr old classes. The format will include an INTRO Eventing Ireland dressage test followed by the 5 yr old jumping course that will be judged in both arenas only BASED ON CLEAR ROUNDS / FAULTS –  it will not be judged on Confirmation either as the young event horse class is.  . “ We feel there is a lack opportunities for TB horses , especially those retiring from racing for whatever reason , to return to competition.” “We wanted to offer something for owners, riders and trainers to aim these horses for giving them an opportunity to judge whether maybe an eventing career  could be a future for some of the animals” owners pat & orla explain.

*****NEW FOR 2023 ****** 

THERE WILL BE AN OPEN AND A NOVICE SECTION – LIMITED NUMBERS IN THESE CLASSES SO EARLY ENTRY IS ADVISED 

NOVICE SECTION 

1, The class will not have an age restriction

2, Open to TB horses that have NOT  already competed in

A Affiliated dressage shows ,B-  Eventing or show jumping  Affiliated in previous year to the competition   ( but may be registered for the year they compete in the stepping stones league Prior to competition  Sept Previous  –  April of the competition in order to gain experience ) .

3. They may have competed for a year prior unaffiliated – Jan – Sept year prior )  Bearing in mind that most of the horses availing of this will have had a racing career until recently , the judging will take into consideration that they most likely are being retrained particularly in their flatwork , and judge accordingly.

OPEN SECTION 

1. The Class will Not have an age restriction 

2. Open to TB Horses that HAVE an affiliated record , have competed previously in the stepping stones league or are registered with sji or EI but MUST NOT have competed higher than 1.10m in any discipline.

JUDGING – 

The class will run as one class on a handicap system for prize fund and prizes 

Novice TB will compete during the league with Intro test as outlined and jump 4 yr old track of 80cm show jumping and xc 5 yr old track moving to 90cm show jumping at the final 

Open TB will compete during the league with the intro test as outlined also and jump 5 yr old show jumps at 90cm and  xc 5 yr old track and move to 1m sjump at the final. 

PRIZES AND PRIZE FUND  – TOTAL PRIZE FUND INC BONUS PRIZES – €2,500 AND TROPHY TO WINNER NOVICE SECTION overall 

Generous Prize fund of €1500  has been sponsored by TREO EILE for the league final places from 1-6th place as well as Media Promotional videos for TB class and Photography.

*** NEW THIS YEAR – €750  BONUS prize will be given to the HIGHEST placed NOVICE TB in the class sponsored by a syndicate of riders and trainers anonymous donors , Trainer Colin Bowe and Trainer Denis Hickey. The William Codd perpetual Trophy will also Be presented to the NOVICE TB placed highest in the Class.

WINNER of the Overall Class each week will Receive a Rug. 

The Highest Placed TB that has Raced in a Point to Point/ Track  will also receive a  bonus prize from IHWT at the final  of €250 – his league only presents prizes at the final in cash prize fund.  

Those with 4 & 5 yr old TB horses of course can choose now either to compete in the regular classes or the TB exclusive class !!

Event Pony CLass – sponsored by HOOFPRINT INNOVATIONS – €1,000 VOUCHERS 1-6TH PLACE 

2023 rules  ***** 4-6 yr old ponies only 
see criteria section for more info – open to 4-6yr old ponies  – DO NOT NEED TO HAVE BREEDING RECORDED however must have a valid measurement before the final if questioned on height of pony where a Vet can be called to confirm a height,  to compete for prize fund of €1,000 in Vouchers sponsored by HOOFPRINTS INNOVATIONS  

1ST – 3RD PLACED PONIES IN PREVIOUS YEARS ARE EXCLUDED FROM COMPETITION 

Ponies can be ridden by appropriate adults please see rules page for full info.

Places for competition will be limited so we encourage entries as early as possible to ensure a place.

YOUNG RIDER AWARD TO UNDER 23 RIDER – JP SHEFFIELD BURSARY TRAINING 

JUNIOR RIDER UNDER 18 – TIGGYS TRUST PERPETUAL TROPHY AND PERPETUAL SHIELD sponsored by Jessica Harrington