The ILDRA board of directors has called an EGM of the Leinster Branch to consider the future of the Branch on Saturday 10th August

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The directors unanimously:-

1) Noted the minutes of previous meeting, (already approved), no matters arising.

2) Approved the 2018 draft accounts subject to auditing

3) Approved the National Championships schedule at St.Patrick's Coast Ride on Saturday 7th September 2019.

4) Approved arrangements for the forthcoming Home International/Celtic Challenge competitions, including issuing an invitation to Endurance Ireland members to participate in the Irish team.

5) Branch Reports:

Ulster Branch
Ulster Branch rides have been well attended including a recent bbq.

Leinster Branch
No response has been received to requests for information regarding Leinster Branch activities and there are reports of a new endurance group involving some members of the Leinster Branch Committee. No recent resignations from the committee have been reported to the directors although the chairman Peter O'Carroll has declined further communication regarding ILDRA.

A Companies Office search revealed that steps had been taken to promote a new organisation as far back as June 2018 as follows;

(i) On 22nd June 2018, three serving directors of ILDRA including the then chairman (Peter O'Carroll, Andrea O'Carroll and John Ryan) signed as subscribers, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of a proposed company called Endurance Riding Eireann, its objects being "to carry on the business of promotion and administration of the sport of endurance riding in Ireland and anything ancillary to above".

(ii) Endurance Riding Eireann was incorporated on 2nd November 2018 with Peter O'Carroll, Andrea O'Carroll and John Ryan as its directors.

The board noted no formal disclosure of the above matters had been made to either the ILDRA directors or the members of Leinster Branch and that Peter O'Carroll, Andrea O'Carroll and John Ryan had all represented ILDRA Leinster Branch in the mediation process organised by Horse Sport Ireland on 19th March 2019 without making disclosure of their directorships in Endurance Riding Eireann to the other parties in mediation.

The board unanimously considered it necessary to call an EGM of Leinster Branch to consider the future of the Branch, details to follow.

Helen McFarland
Chairman ILDRA board of directors.

Teams

Time to sign up ...
FOR ILDRA AND IRELAND

Combinations needed at all levels for the Home International/Celtic Challenge teams hosted by Wales at the Red Dragon this year.

• 2 day 160 km

• 2 day 120 km

• 2 day 80 km

• 80 km ER

• 50 km junior

• 40 km novice/novice

More than one rider is needed for many of these classes so don't be shy!

More Info on HI/CC page in the next weeks.

ILDRA (Irish Long Distance Riding Association - 1990) is a long established Endurance Riding Organisation with representation throughout Ireland and is recognised by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

It organises a series of rides throughout Ireland. Most rides involve a Pleasure Ride for members and non-members, normally of about 8 miles, and a series of CTRs (Competitive Trail Rides) over a number of distances starting from 20 miles for members. Some events also feature ERs (Endurance Rides) - these normally start at 50 miles and are for experienced horses and riders only.

So what is Endurance Riding - perhaps it is useful to say what Endurance Riding isn't. It isn't a long pony trek, ambling through lanes, it isn't for the faint hearted, and it isn't for the rider who doesn't actually enjoy being in the saddle for long.

So what is it? It is a unique competitive challenge and a supreme sport for learning about equine fitness. Veterinary checks before and after competitive rides - and in the middle too for longer distances - ensure the best possible care is taken of your horse. Any problems can be picked up earlier rather than later.

You, the rider, learn more about the way your horse functions, with the importance of regulating your riding to suit conditions which will affect the way your horse behaves and how he presents to the vet. Key factors include:

• The terrain: is it hilly or flat, sandy or hard ground?
• The weather: is it cold, wet, foggy, or hot and sunny?
• The route: does it look to be difficult to follow on the map, or a more simple circular course?