It’s been a big news days in Ireland with a number of exciting announcements.
Sporting his very healthy-looking Phoenix Park tan, Taoiseach Leo Varadakar confirmed the further lifting of Covid 19 restrictions across the country, Horse Sport Ireland and Showjumping Ireland confirmed that the HSI Premier and ISH Studbook series will begin at the end of June and journalist/commentator Paul Nolan reported, on behalf of Dressage Ireland, that Anna (Peetzy) Merveldt will compete at the World Cup fixture in Mariakalnok, Hungary from 26 to 28 June.
Of course public health advice remains stringent both at home and abroad, and activities will all be conducted within Government guidelines. But there’s a great sense of relief that a kind of normality is returning after months of anxiety.
Also today, the Olympic Federation of Ireland welcomed the easing of travel restrictions for elite athletes preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Games, now scheduled to take place in the summer of 2021.
“We have earned the right to be hopeful about the future again”, Mr Varadakar said this afternoon.
Find details of the easing of Covid 19 restrictions in Ireland here
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ae99f-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-june-8-phase-2/
Find the HSI press release here https://www.horsesportireland.ie/horse-sport-ireland-and-showjumping-ireland-confirm-hsi-premier-series-and-ish-studbook-series-to-resume-from-june-29th/
Read Paul’s announcement on Dressage Ireland Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/dressageIreland/