The Underwriting Exchange Jumping In The City’ takes place on Friday, August 5th 2016. The event will have a Rio style carnival atmosphere as it will be the official send-off for Olympic bound Greg Broderick who departs for the games the following day. Ireland's eventing team who leave for Rio tomorrow, Friday July 29th, will start to competing in Rio on the next day on August 6th. Equestrian Olympic fever will be at its height as it is also the night of the Olympic Opening ceremony in Rio.
The evening will start with the Westwood/IFor Williams Amateur Speed class at 5.30pm followed by the 16 horse 'The Underwriting Exchange Grand Prix'. The 6 horse 'Devenish Puissance' will take place as the final Show Jumping competition of the night and will feature recent Dublin Puissance joint winner Acorad and 20 year Jack O’Donoghue. They will be opposed by two of the joint winners of last year’s memorable 'Devenish Puissance' at Shelbourne Park, Jason Higgins with Hadine Van't Zorgvliet and Gabriel Corless with Rockstown Park. Brendan McArdle of The Irish Field and RTE will be on hand to provide his unique puissance commentary.
The evening will also feature greyhound races after the jumping, with tote betting on the Show Jumping and Greyhound racing available on the night. The start list for the Westwod/Ifor Willliams Amateur speed class was announced earlier this week with much interest focusing on Greyhound trainer Delores Ruth who will compete with her horse Run DMC Z.
As well as Rio bound Greg Broderick, the Grand Prix will feature the former world champion and reigning Jumping in the City champion Dermot Lennon. UK based rising stars Anthony Condon and Paul Kennedy also feature on the start list along with former Olympian Marion Hughes who is now based mainly in Dubai. They will be joined by the top riders on the National circuit including current Horseware/TRM Premier Series leader Francis Connors. Top international eventer Sarah Ennis will also be taking on the show jumpers at their own game with her prolific Irish Sport Horse Gelding BLM Diamond Delux.
The Showjumping will be followed by greyhound racing, a band and DJ. The bar will open until late. The evening will also incorporate a Brazilian theme and a Rio style carnival, celebrating Ireland’s Equestrian Olympic athletes.
A Highlights programme from the event will be broadcast on TG4.
A limited amount of corporate hospitality tables remain, while group discounts and other restaurant packages are also available. General Admission on the night is €20 or €15 if pre-booked online, Children u14 go free, Students and OAP’s €10. For bookings please visit www.igb.ie<http://www.igb.ie/> and for general information please see www.horsesportireland.ie<http://www.horsesportireland.ie/> .
For a full list of rider combinations please click on: http://www.sji.ie/Animals/Horses/Jumping-in-the-City