The New Heights Champion Series kicks off next weekend at the Horseware Louth County Show. It’s fitting that the opening round takes place here, as it is not only the 18th anniversary for the show, but it is a show which has a strong connection with the co- sponsor of the series, Tom MacGuinness and Horseware as it takes place on his property at Dromiskin in Dundalk. As well as the feature Grand Prix’s, the show will play host the studbook classes and to the opening rounds of the Mervue Equine Leinster 1.20m and 1.30m league, which boast a prize fund of €1500 for 1.35m and €500 euro for 1.20m tour.
This show which is run for local charities has always proved popular with riders as it is the first show jumping event held on grass, and this along with a full line-up of classes will attract some of the best combinations.
This year, the series which replaces the Premier Series is sponsored by TRM and Horseware and boasts a prize fund of €10,000 in each of the ten rounds. The final leg will be held at the Irish Breeders Classic in Barnadown and will follow the Global Champions Tour format of three rounds of jumping. Along with a prize fund of €12,500, the overall winner of the series will also be crowned 2017 Irish National Show Jumping Champion.
The New Heights Champions Series will not only showcase Irish showjumping, but will hopefully attract foreign buyers to Ireland to view young and more experienced horses. A joint venture by Showjumping Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland, the series will be marketed to foreign buyers through Horse Sport Ireland’s international marketing division. The Irish Horse Gateway exhibition unit will travel to each venue to help market these animals and in a bid to reward breeders, this series will also see the he introduction of prize money for the breeders of top three Irish-bred horses.
TRM - Raoul Masterson, CEO of TRM said : “TRM are proud to be associated with the New Heights Champions Series in conjunction with Horse Sport Ireland, Showjumping Ireland and Horseware. With the prize fund set to €110,000, we look forward to the biggest and best show jumping series in Ireland getting underway at Louth County Show on April 23rd. As this series holds the largest prize fund of any national league held in mainland Europe, we are sure all 10 events will capture the hearts and minds of the Irish Showjumping community.”
Horse Sport Ireland - Elaine Hatton, Director of International Marketing.
“Horse Sport Ireland are delighted to be involved in the New Heights Champions Series, we envisage this as an opportunity to raise the bar for the sport of show jumping in terms of competition, prize money and spectator experience as well as enhancing the experience for athletes, owners and sponsors. We wish all participants a successful season.”
Horseware - Tom CEO Horseware
“Horseware is delighted to come on board as Joint title sponsors with TRM for the New Heights Champions Series. After being involved with the Premier Series for a number of years, we are excited to be involved with this new series, and hope the new format will have a successful first season. Ireland has some of the best riders and horses in the world, and Horseware, the leading equestrian company, is committed to supporting Irish equestrians and horses.”