The Finals of the ShowjumpingIreland/Make-A-Wish Challenge were held in Cavan Equestrian Centre on December 6th & 7th with athletes competing for a total prize fund of €11,500 put up by ShowjumpingIreland.  Centres around the country generously contributed financially towards the charity donation and Allianz Insurance, a long time sponsor of S.J.I , also lent their support as did H.S.I., Elite Rosettes, Prime Photography and Jumpinaction.net. Part of the entry fee for the finalists also went towards the amount raised.

The ponies competed on Saturday across 6 height bands and the following winners scooped their share of the €800 and €700 on offer across the classes:

128 80cm – Alex Finney and Ballyknock Master Roan

128 90cm – Alex Finney and Ballyknock Master Roan

138 90cm – Hannah McGoldrick and Coral Queen

138 1.00m – Ruairi Aylward and Coppenagh Celtic Rebel

148 1.00m – Samuel Wilson and Quantum Starlight

148 1.10m – Melek Fagan and Rathkenny Lace Wing

Pony Finals Day on Saturday was a special one given that children between the age of 3 and 17 who have life threatening medical conditions were the focus of this fund raiser.  The Challenge was instigated by Liam Murphy, the outgoing Chairman of SJI’s Management & Finance Committee, and he said it was a great honour to be involved with such a noteworthy charity and he highly commended the invaluable work carried out for the worthy recipients – the children.

Horses competed on Sunday and the entries reflected the interest members had in competing for good prize money at grass roots level as well as aiding the fund raiser.  The Winners who jumped off for prize money of €1,500 and €2,000 in the classes were:

90cm – Amanda Fahy and Lackyle Skylancer

1.00m – Kirsty Dobie  and KEC Gruvy Too

1.10m – Sara Gorman and Take a Gamble

1.20m – Philip Hannigan and Yukon Flush

Kirsty Dobie who won the 1.00m class said she was so delighted to win such a prestigious class especially in Cavan Equestrian Centre and that the level of prize money on offer from S.J.I. was a great incentive.  She was delighted to support the Charity and to be part of making wishes come true for very worthy children.  She hoped the event would be repeated next year.

Sara Gorman, the winner of the 1.10m class thanked SJI for a great competition and also thanked Cavan for their excellent facilities and Allianz Insurance who had supported the event.  She said it was a fantastic end to her season and she looked forward to similar events next year.

The National Chairman Tony Hurley was in attendance and he stated that he was delighted to see the support lent by members towards the event and was keen to see SJI continue to support this and other worthy charities.  The funding put forward by SJI was in line with the remit of the Association to put money back into the sport at all levels, not just at the elite end.

He also wished to thank Allianz Insurance and H.S.I. for their support of the event

Irene Timmins, Head of Fundraising from the Make A Wish Ireland charity who received the cheque from ShowjumpingIreland said  ‘We are truly grateful for the support of Showjumping Ireland and all the amazing people involved in this spectacular event. The support we have received so far has been amazing and we would like to thank all the athletes who took part both round the country and in Cavan Equestrian Centre.  We have many children waiting for their wish to be granted, so the money raised will make a huge difference to this wonderful charity and enable us to create extraordinary moments for some truly brave children."