Young riders are encouraged to Cork next summer as the Millstreet Horse Show returns bigger and better to Ireland’s fixture list.
The family-run horse show was cancelled this year following a row over insurance between organiser Noel Duggan and Show Jumping Ireland (SJI).
But next year, the re-named Millstreet All-Ireland Championship Horse and Pony Show will run over the show’s traditional dates — 9-15 August — as an unaffiliated event.
And potential stars of the future are being encouraged to attend, and enter the grand prix designated to riders aged under 25.
“The show will, as always, be open to all-comers, but will place an emphasis on new potential stars, especially at young rider level,” said a statement by the Duggan family, which owns Green Glens Arena, where Millstreet is staged.
“As a vast majority of existing senior riders got the opportunity to wear their first green jacket at Millstreet, we wish to promote the next generation of green jackets.”
Thomas Duggan told Horse & Hound that major investment in new facilities is already underway.
“We are weather-proofing ourselves,” he said. “We’re building two extra all-weather arenas, and increased stabling and parking areas.”
The 2010 show will feature 90 competitions, including derbys for horses and ponies, loose jumping and national discovery classes.
In 2008, the horse show had around 10,500 entries, and enticed around 80-90,000 spectators to the area, generating thousands of euros for the local economy.
The Duggan family said it is again planning a major senior grand prix with a “substantial” prize fund. In 2008, the winner took home €30,000.
