SHOW JUMPING

Emer Bermingham

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National Grand Prix show jumping came to a halt last weekend with both Coilóg and Thomastown being forced to cancel. On Friday, morning, management at Coilóg was forced to pull the plug after only 22 combinations were declared for the feature event – the €4,000 Katherine A Gallagher Grand Prix.

Speaking to The Irish Horse, Coilóg’s Chris Byrne said: “We were disappointed with the entries and really we were left with no choice.

“On average, 20% of a start list pull out on the day and with the bad weather approaching, it was likely that even more would have pulled out. We have an obligation to our sponsors, who have supported us for many years, and it wouldn’t be fair to run a Grand Prix with such low numbers. The plan now is to hopefully run it on 5 July.”

This is the only National Grand Prix to be held in Coilóg this season. Traditionally the venue plays host to the final of the Premier Series, but this year the final will take place in The Meadows.

Thomastown

On Sunday, Thomastown fell victim to the adverse weather conditions and the show organisers had no choice but to call a halt to show jumping. One of the few shows of its kind left, it is popular with the large show jumping fraternity in the area.