The Irish Breeders Classic (IBC) 2014 will take place at Barnadown, Gorey, Co Wexford, from 4 to 7 September. This is the richest young horse show jumping class in the world with a prize fund of €50,000. The competition is confined to five- and six-year-old horses born in Ireland.

A major addition to this year’s schedule is a select sale of show jumping horses that will take place in the Amber Springs Hotel on 5 September which will be run by Goresbridge Horse Sales.

“We have been monitoring the show jumping trade closely, and we feel that having the sale running alongside the Irish Breeders Classic show can only be a good thing,” said Martin Donohoe of Goresbridge.

“We are donating 2% of the proceeds to the prize fund, and through this we feel that the two ventures will complement each other. It is a timely coincidence that four of our Goresbridge show jumping graduates made up Britain’s winning Nations Cup team at Odense recently, which has further cemented Goresbridge’s influence as a source of world-class show jumpers.”

The sale will be open to horses from three to seven years of age and will include a small selection of foals.

“The emphasis will most definitely be on quality rather than quantity,” said Martin. “And while we are having four official selection days, we will also have scouts sourcing possible candidates at shows around the country.”

The selection dates for the show jumping sale are as follows:

  • • 14 and 22 July at Barnadown (four-, five-, six- and seven-year-olds).
  • • 24 July at Goresbridge (three-year-olds).
  • • 26 July at Goresbridge (foals).

    • A four-year-old class which was run on a clear rounds basis will run again this year. The show will also feature a 1.40m national Grand Prix and a 1.35m Leinster league class.

    The IBC itself is funded by voluntary contributions from organisations and individuals associated with the industry. Horse Sport Ireland, Showjumping Ireland, Jim Bolger and many others have pledged their support already this year.

    “Arraghbeg Clover won last year’s Irish Breeders Classic and went on to win the world championship for five-year-olds two weeks later, which really put us on the map,” said Ronan Rothwell, Irish Breeders Classic organiser.

    “Having Goresbridge coming on board this year, combined with the continuing improvements to the competition, means that the Irish Breeders Classic is becoming a big date on the calendar and I can’t wait for this year’s show,” Ronan said.

    Further details about the sale can be obtained by calling Goresbridge Horse Sales on 059-977-5145 or Ronan Rothwell on 087-648-2155 from 2-6pm. You can also check the website at www.irishbreedersclassic.com.