“It is vital that we continue to invest in our home shows. It’s critical that we hold our identity. As a nation we are renowned for our horses and riders and it’s so important that these leagues are put in place to give riders a platform to produce their horses. We greatly appreciate the support from Connolly’s RED MILLS which helps keep the Munster Grand Prix League going.”
Beecher also outlined how he has had a busy early season so far,
“I went to Spain for six weeks on the Sunshine Tour before moving on to Portugal. All the horses are home now and are fresh and well ahead of their first weekend back on home soil. I have a very nice horse called Asti 71. He is a new horse for us this year and he’ll step-up to the Munster Grand Prix League and I hope for a good campaign with him. I have another horse Loughnatousa Eric that I jumped last year and I will go between the Munster Grand Prix's and the National Grand Prix's with him. He had a good season last year, winning three of the Grand Prix's and second in two. I have another nice young horse, Glamstone, a six-old. I am hoping to jump him in a couple of the Munster Grand Prix's this year to see where he is at. It is very important to have the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league as a stepping stone for these horses, without it we would be lost.”
The Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand League is an integral part of the Show Jumping season, filling a big gap between the 1.20m and the 1.50m classes, it attracts a broad range of riders from both the professional ranks to the experienced amateur. This year’s Munster Region Grand Prix League will consist of close to 20 1m35 classes which support the industry by creating a market within the 1m35 height band.
Gerard Murphy, Munster Region representative commented:
"It is fantastic to have Connolly’s RED MILLS back onboard with us this year, they are great sponsors and a perfect fit for a competition such as the Munster Grand Prix League. There is €2,000 to play for at each leg with the first event taking place in Ballylawn, Co. Waterford on Monday. I want to wish all competitors the best of luck throughout the league and the season ahead.”
Gareth Connolly, Sales and Marketing Director at Connolly’s RED MILLS said:
“We have supported the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix League from the very start. Like so many of our sponsorships, we look to identify areas within the sport where we can make a valuable contribution back to the customers who support our business. As Paul Beecher said, the Irish are renowned around the world for their horsemanship and it’s vital that we sustain a home market and create opportunities for our owners, riders and breeders to showcase both their own and their equine talent.”
The final of the Connolly’s RED MILLS Munster Region Grand Prix League will take place at Maryville Stables, Cork in September.
Video footage from the Connolly's RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league launch available on this link
https://youtu.be/nyl58WeVexU?list=PL0TTX4vS-je1Jmgr9-PcfoYl6hhCzVGEk
Full criteria for the 2017 Connolly's RED MILLS Munster Grand Prix league is available on pages 18 & 19 of the April edition of the Showjumping Ireland bulletin - free to download here http://http://www.sji.ie/Bulletin