CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS RENEW SPRING TOUR SPONSORSHIP

The Showjumpers Club are delighted to announce that Connolly’s RED MILLS have once again renewed their Sponsorship of the Spring Tour which gets underway at JAG Equestrian Centre in Kildare on February 12th. This is the fourth year of Sponsorship from the Kilkenny based Feed company.

Over the duration of the 14 legs of Tour, riders will battle for over €30,000 in prize-money, with the overall 2017 Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour champion taking home an additional €2000. After each round Connolly's RED MILLS products will be awarded to the prize-winners including the leading groom at each event. Additional product prizes have been added for 2017 with the top Young Rider of the Spring Tour also receiving one tonne of horse feed from Connolly's RED MILLS.

The Showjumpers Club are also delighted to announce that the Pro-Am section in this year's Spring Tour which allows the non-professional Rider's the opportunity to compete in a league of their own. Riders who opt for the Pro-Am section will be eligible for Prize Money on the day but will also be eligible for prize hamper as part of the Pro-Am section at each leg of the Tour which are provided kindly by Botanica International.

Starting on February 12th at JAG Equestrian, the 2017 Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour will span the length and breadth of the country leading up towards the final at Warrington Equestrian Centre in Kilkenny on April 16th.

For last two years, one rider has dominated the Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour and that was Liam O Meara who, proved virtually unstoppable either placing or winning on multiple occasions, he was kept under supreme pressure however by John Floody and his team of ever consistent and competitive string and both riders battled to the final for overall Tour Winner. Will 2017 see a renewal of this rivalry or will new names come to the fore with so many younger riders and horses coming through the tour each year.

Chairman of the Showjumpers Club Ronan Corrigan commented; ‘’I am really looking forward to this year’s Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour. It is sure to be another exciting league, as it is every year. It proves the strength and significance of the Tour with sponsors like Connolly’s RED MILLS who are very much a global brand offering support and sponsorship. It is so important that The Showjumpers Club continues to administer the tour and work with sponsors of the calibre of Connolly's Red Mills to ensure that the home National circuit is supported and developed for Breeders, owners and the riders on a continuous basis."

Gareth Connolly - Sales & Marketing Director Connolly’s RED MILLS, commented; "The Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour is an integral part of our sponsorship portfolio. Show jumping is an international sport and we export premium horse feed all over the world but we are proud to support this grassroots Irish competition, which nurtures the development of our horses and riders. The Spring Tour offers riders a platform to develop their partnerships at venues across the country and compete for prize-money at each event and we are delighted to embark on our fourth season as Tour sponsor. We are also excited to launch the Young Rider Award this season, developing young talent is something we take a passionate interest in and the Spring Tour is the perfect opportunity for young riders to build valuable experience and showcase their talent. We look forward to meeting the riders and their teams, the owners and the breeders, throughout the season and supporting their journey with top-class nutritional support and information."

Speaking at the launch Ger O’Neill said: “I’m looking forward to the Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour; I have seven horses lined-up for the tour including my top horse Dondoctro who will hopefully do three or four rounds. I also have some nice 7 and 8 years-olds coming through, so looking I’m looking forward to the start of the Spring Tour and getting them ready for the season ahead.” 

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*****The Connolly's Red Mills Spring Tour is also sponsored by The Showjumpers Club and supported by Botanica International and Jumpinaction.com *******

www.theshowjumpersclub.com and www.facebook.com/SJCireland for Tour Tables and information