Wednesday the 1st of June 2016 saw the official launch of the Limerick leg of "Munster Stadium Showjumping", following on from the success that was Jumping in the City in 2015. With the announcement by Horse Sport Ireland that the Underwriting Exchange Jumping in the city will run on August 5th in Shelbourne Park Dublin, Munster Showjumping approached Horse Sport Ireland to seek permission to run two qualifiers in Cork and Limerick, in which Horse Sport Ireland kindly agreed. The Limerick leg of ‘Munster Stadium Showjumping’ will take place on Friday the 24th of June in the greyhound track on the Dock Rd., Limerick.
A large crowd was in attendance for the launch with everyone very positive about the event and look forward to bringing showjumping back into the dog track in Limerick this June.
Speaking at the launch of the event was John Mc Carthy of Limerick greyhound stadia, "Limerick greyhound stadium are delighted to have showjumping back in the dog track in 2016 once again, we are privileged to have one of the most modern greyhound tracks in the world here in Limerick and it is great to see it being put to other use. In 2015 for Jumping in the City it saw record crowds in attendance so we hope we can build on that this year again and make it even better"
Tony Hurley Munster SJI Chairman said "We in Munster are delighted to be hosting the two legs of Munster Stadium Showjumping, after the success that was there in 2015 we felt it needed to be continued, the support we have received in recent weeks from the public, riders, owners, sponsors etc., has been phenomenal especially since news broke of the event will be running again this year"
The inaugural running of the Munster Stadium Showjumping will see a format of four classes take place, kicking off the evening will be 128 Pony class which always provides some great entertainment, the Amateurs will then take centre stage before our top grand Prix riders will battle it out for a share of the €6000 prize fund and a spot in the Jumping in the City Final in Shelbourne Park on August 5th, more details can be found in the July SJI Bulletin, expressions of interest close on June 14th for the Limerick event and entries can be made through the SJI Office.
The last class of the evening will be a novelty class "Celebrity Jockeys Challenge" where five of our top National Hunt jockeys all with Grand National winning success to their name, will take on five of the countries top Grand Prix riders with proceeds going to the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund. This promises to be a great class providing top class entertainment with the money raised going to a great cause.
As always there are various hospitality options available for people which can be booked through igb.ie and tickets will be available at the door on the night including live entertainment after the action, pony rides for kids and lots of surprises in store on the night. Anyone who feels like getting dressed up for the occasion will be in with a chance to be crowned "Munster Stadium Showjumping best dressed" which will be judged by Sharon Tucker, and the winner will receive the fantastic top prize of a luxury weekend away for two.
So why not come along to what promises to be a great night of top class jumping and entertainment. It promises to be a great evening out for all age groups. More information can be found on www.sji.ie www.munstershowjumping.ie Munster SJI and Showjumping Ireland on Facebook and Twitter.
Editor: Michael Flynn, Munster Showjumping PRO
Pictured (L to R) Robert Wallace Showjumping Ireland PR & Marketing Executive, Sarah Fitzgerald, Tony Hurley Munster Showjumping Chairman, Francis Connors 2015 Munster Grand Prix Champion and former national champion, John Mc Namara Limerick event Cordinator, Janice Kinane and John Mc Carthy Limerick Greyhound Stadium.
Photo Credit: Marie Wheeler