The world’s richest Young Horse Show Jumping Competition, The 2014 Irish Breeders Classic (IBC), was officially launched at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show in the RDS, with some new and exciting initiatives announced for what will be third running of this showpiece event.
The Irish Breeders Classic takes place at Barnadown Stud, Gorey, Co Wexford, from Thursday 4th to Sunday 7th September 2014, with the feature Irish Breeders Classic 5 and 6 year old competition boasting a massive prize fund of €45,000.
A competition for 4 year old horses will also take place at the show, with a further €5,000 up for grabs, along with an exciting programme of top level jumping over four days, which includes the final of the TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix league.
Since its inception in 2012, The Irish Breeders Classic has produced some exceptional prize winners, with last year’s IBC winner Arraghbeg Clover and Greg Broderick, going on to land the gold medal at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses at Lanaken in Belgium. Shortly afterwards, Arraghbeg Clover topped an annual elite sale of show jumping horses organised by German dealer Holger Hetzel, fetching a staggering price of €400,000.
Previous IBC prize winners also include Codarco who is now competing internationally with Ireland’s Billy Twomey and Going Global, who recently landed two rounds of the TRM/Horseware Premier Series with Tipperary rider Greg Broderick.
Speaking at the launch of the event, Irish Breeders Classic organizer Ronan Rothwell said,
“We are really looking forward to the third running of the IBC which has grown each year since it began. I would especially like to thank all our incredibly generous sponsors who have come on board and we still have a range of sponsorship packages available to suit all budgets for those who would like to get involved in this very special event”.
The Irish Breeders Classic will also provide the perfect platform to purchase the next jumping super-star, as Goresbridge Horse-Sales will host a Select Sale of Show Jumpers on the Friday of the Show. Viewing will take place at the Barnadown jumping complex, with the auction taking place at the nearby Amber Springs Hotel.
Other attractions at the Irish Breeders Classic include a barbecue and fundraising auction on the Saturday evening of the show and a very special Sport Horse Foal Sale at Barnadown on Sunday, along with family entertainment that includes a novelty Dog Show and Miniature Horse display. For more details on the 2014 Irish Breeders Classic visit their website at www.irishbreedersclassic.com