The third meeting of the CPBS council took place on Monday evening. Regrettably the meeting opened with a minutes silence observed for long standing stallion custodian and breeder Mr. Tomas O Maille who passed away recently. A lengthy discussion took place with regard to the postponement of the Inspections until May. In light of this decision concerns were raised by colt owners regarding loss of covering fees, loss of potential sales and increased livery and production costs. It was agreed that an inspection for Colts will take place on Friday 1^st of April 2016, in Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath under the current classification system. Colts presented for this inspection will be tested for HWSD. Application forms will be available to download and from the office shortly.  It was agreed that an in depth report on inspections be completed and a continuation of Dr. Jack Murphy’s report be carried out with both being discussed at a later meeting. The colt inspection on Friday 1^st April in Mullingar will be the first event of the 2016 spring festival, followed by a day’s show jumping in the Showgrounds, Clifden, Co. Galway, following on from the success of the same event at the Christmas Show in Creagh a mini, midi, maxi & 110m will again be held where generous sponsored prize money will be on offer. The Annual Stallion parade will take place on Sunday 3^rd of April and this year will see the inclusion of Class 2 stallions. Our finance officer Mr. Philip Morgan gave a financial forecast for the year and stressed the importance of keeping within budgets and in return giving members value for money. As previously reported the CPBS is arranging an arena party to assist in events such as inspections, loose jumping etc. The party will be made up of volunteers. Training will be provided which will consist of a two day course Tuesday 8th of March and Tuesday 15th of March at Creagh Equestrian Centre, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway at 10am. The course will be given by Declan Mac Ardle (Teagasc). If you wish to partake please ring the office 095 21863 to secure your place as there is a limit of 15 people. Closing date Friday 4th of March. New Health & Safety measures will be brought into place for the Show & Festival in August. The competitions at the show will commence on Wednesday 17^th of August with the final of the Green Hunter, to be followed  with the ever popular Family Working Hunter, The 4yr old performance mare championship will take place again this year followed by the 3yr old Loose jumping final. Thursday the 18^th August will see the in hand classes and ridden classes however the lead rein class has been moved to the new show on Saturday 20^th. Friday will see all working hunter classes, high performance final and the possibility of dividing the puissance into rider over 16yrs and rider under 16yrs is being looked into. It is agreed that further competitions will take place on Saturday 20^th of August which will largely be a family fun day to include lead rein, family clear round of 60cms, Top Score of 1m, Interprovincial competition and a six bar competition. Saturday will also have a dog show, pony rides and fly ball or agility for dogs. Qualifiers for the High Performance will be as follows: 6^th June-St. Lukes, Kilronan, Co. Dublin 18^th June- Cork County Show 19^th June Galway County Show 25^th June- Charleville Agri.Show, Co. Cork 28^th June- Tattersalls, Co. Meath 2^nd July- North East Connemaras, Slane, Co. Meath 10^th July- Bridgetown, Co. Clare 17^th July- Rathbawn, Co. Kildare 14^th August- Moycullen, Co. Galway UK date to be confirmed.   The marketing committee is producing a video of events and is working on a half hour clip to be shown on TG4. There will be further linear profiling courses for eligible judges for Clifden show. Closing date for articles for An Capaillín is the 28^th of April. The committee is also looking into the possibility of a young handler’s course. The next council meeting will be held on Wednesday 6^th of April, until then we welcome the stretch in the evenings with the coming of Spring and wish our breeders a safe arrival of their eagerly anticipated newborns.