Hi Members,

This bulletin is designed to bring you additional information which is not included by regional newsletters or to start a debate on issues not addressed in the newsletters. Some of the items and views expressed in this publication are the view of the Chairman and may not always be a considered view of the directors. However the topics raised will, if not already discussed, be the subject of debate by the Board of Directors.

Slaney Valley & Mournes International FEI Races

March sees the Slaney Valley two-day two star ride in Donard; in May the Northern Branch host the only two day Irish qualifier for the European Championships in the Mourne Mountains. This is an FEI three star two-day one hundred mile race to be held at the end of May.

Wicklow Hills

The Annual Wicklow hills endurance festival will be held on the first weekend of July, an FEI three star one-day one hundred mile race is the centrepiece of this festival; an entry of over twenty five riders is expected for this single event. This year the Wicklow Hills will also play host to the Home Internationals and the Celtic Challenge competitions between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Those interested should give their names to either Kathy Conly or Edward Allen.

These events will require a lot a help from members in both branches. We are a small organisation and if we are to succeed in 2005 all members will have to contribute. I hope that, for example that FEI rides in the one 86 km event will be around on Saturday to help steward the course and that the CTR competitors (Sat Only) will offer their services for stewarding on the Sunday. Some FEI riders will unfortunately not get out on the day at all, they should come to the Slaney and help out, in the past they have ridden and others have provided the manpower to run the event, now it is their turn to do the work.

Riding Abroad.

The home calendar is quickly followed by the European Championships in August, which will be held in Alfreds Tower. ILDRA are quietly confident that a full team of six combinations will represent Ireland at this prestigious event. While competing with individual riders who normally finish 160 Km races at an average of 22 KPH is a tall order ,a high team place for the Irish squad is a more realistic target. This event will require a sponsor if ILDRA is not to levy all competitors. Remember someone has to fund the officials, vets , farrier and physio. A very rough estimate of costs indicates expenditure in the range of €8-10k in total. If any members have an idea for sponsorship please let us know asap so that we can contact them at official board level. This is an urgent request so I would like to hear from you asap.

Scotland Vs Ireland and New Young Riders Competition

The board of directors is anxious to provide our young riders with opportunities for competition with our colleagues in Scotland, Wales and England. In the past we have driven the inclusion of YR classes in the Home Internationals and the Celtic Challenge. This year sees SERC and ILDRA introducing a competition exclusively for Young riders.

August sees the inaugural Hills versus Highlands’s junior competitions take place in Scotland. It is hoped that a team of six junior riders will take part in this exciting event, which is designed to encourage young riders (u 21) to take part in international competitions. This year Highlands Vs Hills event is seen as a good introduction to travelling and competing abroad and most importantly good fun for all concerned. Those interested in taking part should give their name to Yvonne Croke now so that proper planning can be put in place.

Young Riders World Champs 2005

Finally, the largest ever Irish squad of Young Riders will travel to Bahrain for the World Young Rider Championships in December. The YR Chef and the Leading Irish YR of 2004 Paul O Reilly travelled to the trial run for this event last December. Paul took part in this desert ride and advises that a top individual (Irish) place in this race is unlikely but that a high team placing can be achieved if all riders and horses work together as a cohesive unit. The directors are seeking sponsors for this adventure in order to lessen the cost on individual families. Contact Larry O Neill at 087-2800424 if you have an idea.

More mundane matters

Dogs at large!!!!!!!

How many times do the branches, the directors and organisers have to raise the issue of dogs at venues and out on courses. The year has barely started and the dog owners are allowing their pets to run around the place without being on a lead. If this continues it will result in a complete ban on dogs at all venues. If necessary the Board of Directors will seek to introduce an automatic loss of mileage and qualification for riders whose crew/ family let dogs out of vehicles when not on a lead.

Time Keeping.

Our vets give us excellent service and for that reason and the fact we cannot compete without them we ask all riders to treat vets with respect. This respect involves turning up to events in good time, so that those of us completing 40/ 50 miles do not cause the vets and the other officials to be on their feet all day long. There are time guidelines, so if you arrive at the venue outside of the recommended times please, please do not ask to be let out a higher mileages, eg 50 milers must be in good time to be vetted and ready to go before 9.30 am.

New Members- attracting more competitors.

All ILDRA members must take responsibility for the health and strength of the organisation. If each member brought in one new members this year we would have a significant increase in income. The least each member can do is to introduce long distance riding to someone new to the sport every six months. Our membership charges and competition rates are the lowest of any equestrian sport by a long shot. However we must be at least in a breakeven position by the end of this year or more increases will have to be introduced.

If we had twice as many members our running costs would not increase but our income would. As it is the branches and the board costs are heavily subsidised by committee members and directors. I am not just talking about the time commitment but also many volunteers are incurring substantial costs without seeking recompense. I am thankful for their contribution but genuinely believe that this not sustainable in the medium term. The answer is in expanding the membership, securing sponsorship or the least inviting raising membership fees and ride fees. It is in your hands.

High Performance Programme

The first stages in the HPP are now complete and I am confident that the groundwork segments will soon be advertised in both branch areas. The board hope to be in a position to subsidise these sessions in 2005 but we are not yet sure what funding will be available. In the northern area members should keep in touch with Lorriane Sloan and in the south Kevin Croke will have the details- dates and costs ect.

Communications within ILDRA

Over the past two years in particular, the directors have discussed the issue of getting our message across to members. This is always a problem. I have been very critical of both branches and the Board for not communicating adequately; in the belief if the message is not getting out properly then it is the fault of the sender. However communications is a two way process. The membership is very very slow to send notes, items of interest, comments or suggestions to either the branch newsletters, the branch committees or to the directors. Please wake up out there, communicating is your responsibility as well. Send the odd note to branch newsletters, send comments to the web site and if you have comments, negative or positive, let us know at board level- write to Kathy.

ILDRA Web Site

The ILDRA web – www.ildra.co.uk - is managed by Gay McKie on a completely voluntary basis. This is an invaluable communications tool if used extensively by members. Like the newsletters the website is always looking out for articles, reports and comments. While Gary makes great efforts to have the website updated regularly he does not always receive information in a timely fashion. Send you article or comment to Gary and he will publish your views. If there is anyone who would like to assist Gary in managing the website we would love to hear from you.

Drugs and other issues

Equestrian Sports have received very poor publicity since last September and just when we all thought that maybe the bad news could not get worse, it did just that got worse. The reported failure of a show jumping Young Riders horse this week points to a very deep difficulty in our sports. Thankfully, despite being the most tested equestrian sport Endurance can report a clean sheet. However there is always a danger that a member will fail a test due to inadvertent use of a prohibited substance in feed or some other innocent happening. We must all take responsibility for our own horse or the horse we ride in the case of seniors.

If you have any doubts regarding prohibited substances for equines consult the EFI web site and for human consult the WADA website. If there are sufficient queries to the board we will organise a seminar with expert guest speakers. In the meantime be careful, read the labels and know exactly what it is you are giving your horse. Please remember despite the current mess regarding one of the Irish horses you as owner are fully responsible for any substance in you horses system no matter how it cam to be there.

Courses

If any members out there would consider do an FEI judges course they should let a director know so that we can make the necessary arrangements.

Closing Comments

Finally, never loose sight of the fact that this is a sport, which should be enjoyed. It is a sport suitable for all ages, all levels of ability (Riders and Horses). The stated mission of ILDRA is to promote the sport of long distance riding and to encourage riding as a sport.

Regards

Larry O Neill, Chairman.