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The 2018 show jumping season kicks off next month with the very popular Connolly’s Red Mills Horse Spring Tour.
The first round of the tour is scheduled to take place at JAG Equestrian in Kildare on 11 February.
There will be a further 10 rounds with the final taking place at Coilog Equestrian in Kildare on 11 April.
In a change to previous years on this schedule, Ravensdale will not host a round and their date in February (25th) will now be filled by Broadmeadows, who has moved their leg of the tour to run earlier in the year.
The Make A Wish Charity show, which was due to take place last December has also now been rescheduled.
The Show will be split into two, with the horse classes taking place on Saturday, 17 February and the pony classes taking place on Sunday, 4 March, both at Cavan Equestrian Centre.
Louth County and National Balmoral Show off the calendar
As the new show schedules are printed it has come to light that Louth County will not run this year.
The show, which traditionally opened summer show jumping and has run for 18 years, will no doubt be missed from the schedule by amateur and professional riders alike.
Spokesperson for the show Tom Holden, did not cite any reason for it not going ahead, but instead thanked all those who worked hard for many years to make the show a great success, this included the committee members, volunteers and sponsors.
The show over the years has attracted top riders and has played host to the many top classes on the show jumping calander.
It held the first ever Premier Series and each year held the opening round of the Irish Horse Board Studbook classes.
Run on a voluntary basis, it has raised €150,000 for local charities.
On a positive note, Ballivor who was missing from the calendar is down to host a national Grand Prix, albeit not in the traditional venue.
TRM/Horseware New Heights Premier Series to start in the Meadows
This year the TRM/Horseware New Heights Premier Series, will kick start on 21-22 April at the Meadows, followed by a further seven rounds at Portmore, Ballinasloe, Galway County, Omagh, Tattersalls, Maryville Stables, Mullingar and the final which will take place at the Irish Breeders Classic in Barnadown on the first week of September.
The two new venues on the list are Portmore and Maryville.
Missing from the schedule for 2018 is National Balmoral, who is not down to host either a National or New Heights series round.
Cork will host a round of the National Grand Prix, but not the New Heights Series.
On the National Grand Prix Circuit JAG Equestrian, who in the past has hosted the final of the national league, is back on the Grand Prix calendar and will now host a round in July.
New sponsors for Pony Spring Tour
On the pony circuit, the Pony Spring Tour will commence in Ard Chuain on the 24 February.
This year the tour has gained new sponsors as Plusvital and Holmestead Saddlery have come one board. The league will consist of five rounds and will conclude in Ennis.
Speaking after the announcement, the Chairperson of the National Pony Committee, John McNamara said “I am delighted to have both Plusvital and Holmestead coming on board this season for the Pony Spring Tour.
"I would like to thank the two companies for their support and look forward to a great start to the year with this tour.
"I would also like to wish all our competitors the very best of luck.”
Robert O’Connor, Marketing Manager for Plusvital expressed his enthusiasm about the tour; “Plusvital are delighted to sponsor the Showjumping Ireland Pony and Children on Horses Spring Tour in conjunction with our distributor, Holmestead Saddlery in support of the grass roots of Irish show jumping.
"We have exciting plans over the coming year and are confident that our multi-million euro investment in R&D will continue to provide innovative scientifically-based products for all equine sectors.”
Kernan appointed underage chef d’equipe
James Kernan was announced as the chef d’equipe for the children, junior and young rider show jumping teams, on Friday last.
The Olympic showjumper was named the interim chef d’equipe of the underage teams in March 2017 after the departure of John Ledingham, and has now agreed to take the role on a full-time basis.
James Kernan.
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of chef d’equipe of the Irish children, junior and young rider show jumping teams.
"Last year as interim chef, we had a lot of positive learnings,” Kernan said.
It will be an exciting year with some of the European gold medal winning pony riders moving up in category to junior (U18).
The children (U14) category also has a lot of potential and we will be working hard to retain horse and rider combinations for the coming season. “We also have a very talented and committed group of young riders [U21].”
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