Youths

Welcome to the Eventing Ireland section for parents/ guardians and their riders who participate, or plan to participate, at Youth level. If you are starting out, or you're a seasoned campaigner, the purpose of this web page is to act as a central focal point and resource of information related to Youth activities that you can use throughout the eventing year.

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Youth Leagues

We are running sponsored leagues for the various Youth classes throughout the 2022 eventing season, culminating in a final at the National Championships on the 10th and 11th of September, in Lisgarvan. 

Note: when viewing any of the league tables that we only list the top 20 results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a list of Frequently Asked Questions relating specifically to Under Age Riders. To see the answer to a specific question just click on it in the list below.

1. I have an underage athlete who wants to join Eventing Ireland and/or compete at an Eventing Ireland Event. What do I need to do first?
2. I know there are forms that need to be filled in - where do I find them and which ones do I look out for?
3. What is the difference between a Pony rider, a Junior and a Young Rider?
4. I have an underage athlete who would like to join the High Performance Programme. What do I need to do?
5. What are MER's?
6. What is expected of me as a parent or guardian of an Underage athlete?
7. What Region am I in ?
8. We are moving from Ponies to Juniors, can my pony be registered as a Horse?
9. What is the difference between Eventing Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland?
10. What do I need to do to compete at International Level?
11. If I want to compete Internationally on my Pony, what are the height measurement rules?
12. Where can I get a Bib Number?
13. Where else can I get help or advice?

Question 1) I have an underage athlete who wants to join Eventing Ireland and/or compete at an Eventing Ireland Event. What do I need to do first?

Answer 1) In order to join Eventing Ireland athletes under the age of 18 must be approved (with their horse as a combination) by a trainer for all classes EI100 and under. This is necessary in order to ensure that both rider and horse are as safe as possible when they both start out.

Your regional training coordinator will be able to help and in many cases will be running training in your area which will support your application.
https://www.eventingireland.com/AboutEI/TabId/101/ArtMID/630/ArticleID/74/Underage-Regional-Co-Ordinators.aspx

Once a member, if you wish to upgrade to a higher jumping level then you can read more about this here: 
https://www.eventingireland.com/News/TabId/99/ArtMID/496/ArticleID/2285/Upgrading-for-Underage-athletes.aspx

If you click the link below there is also some additional useful information for people who are new to Eventing Ireland. https://www.eventingireland.com/AboutEI/TabId/101/ArtMID/630/ArticleID/2279/New-To-Eventing-Ireland.aspx

Question 2) I know there are forms that need to be filled in - where do I find them and which ones do I look out for?

Answer 2) Forms & online EI registration
The following forms must be filled in and sent to the EI Head office.

1. Parental Consent Form
2. Latter of Competency

You can find the forms on the EI site at this link
https://www.eventingireland.com/Forms/TabId/103/ArtMID/625/ArticleID/35/2022-Forms.aspx

You will have to send the following to the EI Head Office with your application:

• The naming page of your pony/ horse's passport, 
• If it is a pony, you also have to send a copy of the height measurement page
• You must also send the child’s birth certificate 

You will also need to create an account with Eventing Ireland and register your membership. 
https://www.eventingireland.com/register.aspx

Help at Eventing Ireland 
For all other EI membership queries please contact 
Email: Jane Grace at headoffice@eventingireland.com or Phone: 045 854545  

Answer 3) 
Pony Riders are U16 on the 1st of January in current year
Junior Riders are U18 on the 1st of January in current year
Young Riders are U21 on the 1st of January in current year

Question 4) I have an underage athlete who would like to join the High Performance Programme. What do I need to do?

Answer 4) Express Your Interest

An expression of interest form needs to be completed and sent to HSI (Horse Sport Ireland) This can be done online here:  https://www.horsesportireland.ie/2022-eventing-youth-hp-under-18 and will cost 50 Euro per athlete.

HSI will contact you with dates for assessments and training. These training days are held at a central location in Ireland which varies depending on the level that you are at. 

You will not be able to take part in the training programme unless you have filled out the form 

At the start of the season your contact details are added to a WhatsApp group as a quick and easy way to let everyone know when training is happening. 

For all questions regarding High Performance, please contact Aileen Cartwright acartwright@horsesportireland.ie

Question 6) What is expected of me as a parent or guardian of an Underage athlete? 

Answer 6) Once you join EI you will be asked to volunteer at events. Eventing Ireland cannot run without this support. 

You are expected to volunteer once during each season (if based in the Munster, North Leinster, South Leinster or Western Regions) or three times (if based in Northern Region). 

You may also wish to get involved in fundraising for Irish teams. 

Volunteering is a great way to get to know other eventing supporters in your region. 

If you want to Volunteer at a specific event please also contact the event organiser. If you do not know who the event organiser is, you should be able to go to the "Notes" section of the specific Event when it is published on the EI website (see menu option Events) and get their contact details there.

Question 7) What Region am I in ?

Answer 7) 
Eventing Ireland is divided into five regions, each responsible for the running of events within their area.  

You can click the following link to see the list of regions, the counties included in each region and the people on each of the respective Regional committees. https://www.eventingireland.com/AboutEI/TabId/101/ArtMID/630/ArticleID/73/Regions-and-Contacts.aspx

Question 8) We are moving from Ponies to Juniors, can my pony be registered as a Horse?

Answer 8) 

I have a child who will be going into Juniors next year.  They are riding a pony which is measured at 148cm.  Can this pony be registered as a horse so my son/ daughter can compete on it next year?

As per Rule 2.2h, if a horse/pony is measuring at 148cm, it may be registered either as a horse or a pony.  If the animal has recorded results for the current calendar year (ie: as a pony) the registration type may not be changed during the same year. If the animal was registered as a pony in 2021, it may be registered as a horse in 2022.

Answer 9)

Eventing Ireland is the body responsible for the sport of Eventing in Ireland.  Its role is to organise and manage training, national events and the rules at national level.  

Eventing Ireland is affiliated to Horse Sport Ireland.

Horse Sport Ireland is the national governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland.  HSI is responsible for managing all high performance programmes for all affiliates, including training and selection of athletes for squads.  HSI appoints High Performance Managers to run these programmes

Question 10) What do I need to do to compete at International Level?

Answer 10)

Any athlete or horse who wishes to compete at an international level must first be a member of Eventing Ireland and the horse/pony registered with Eventing Ireland.  They must then apply for an FEI licence and registration which is managed by HSI and information can be found on the HSI website here: https://www.horsesportireland.ie/passports/ and here: https://www.horsesportireland.ie/team-ireland-equestrian/fei-passports/

Also, in relation to Ponies, they must have an official FEI Height Measurement of 148cm (149cm with shoes). To learn more about this see the answer to the next question.

Question 11) If I want to compete Internationally on my Pony, what are the height measurement rules.

Answer 11) 

A new set of FEI regulations were introduced in 2020 in relation to the measuring of Eventing ponies, you can read more about this here: https://www.horsesportireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FEI-General-Assembly-Report-Pony-Measuring-2020.pdf

To compete at international level your Pony must be FEI registered, and newly FEI registered ponies must be 148cm (149cm with shoes).

Your pony must be measured at an FEI Official Measuring, there is typically one every year in Ireland, usually taking place in January or February. You can read more about this on the Pony Measurement page on the HSI website here: https://www.sji.ie/Ponies/Measuring-Venues

Question 12) Where can I get a Bib Number?

Answer 12) 

It is no longer standard practice for Event organisers to issue bib numbers.  Ahead of each event, you can check your competitor number against your competition entry/dressage time when these are published on the website and use the Bib Number template we place in the Event Details Tab of the event so you may print your own number (one for the front, one for the back of the bib). You may also purchase a set of reusable Bib numbers from companies such as BibEaze https://www.bibeaz.com and Hoofprints.ie https://www.hoofprints.ie/collections/number-bibs

The Underage Parents Committee is the structure through which parents/ guardians can work together for the best possible experience for their young riders. The committee is here to provide support and guidance to underage members and their families. 

Please remember that Responsibility for the construction, organisation and administration of underage HP programmes, including all selection criteria and related decisions rests solely with HSI.

Your own trainer is often an excellent source of advice especially if they are already members of Eventing Ireland. 

Your Regional Rider Representative or Riders Committee (Northern Region) are also extremely useful sources of advice and help. You can find out more about this via your own regional committee. 

Click the following link to see the members of the various regional committees: https://www.eventingireland.com/AboutEI/TabId/101/ArtMID/630/ArticleID/73/Regions-and-Contacts.aspx