Showjumping Ireland is delighted to announce TRI Equestrian has come on board as the title sponsor for our National Pony Championships 2018 - 2020.
TRI Equestrian has agreed to a 3 year sponsorship deal which will see the Championships being renamed going forward as the ‘TRI Equestrian National Pony Championships’.
This year, riders will be looking to qualify for the finals of a number of leagues which will be held over the weekend of the 23rd-26th of August at Mullingar Equestrian Centre. More information on these leagues can be found on at www.sji.ie.
These leagues include:
- MM Horse Trucks National Pony League
- Gateau Stables Young Pony League
- Equestrian World of Maynooth Discovery League
- Walter Reape Newcomers
- Coolmore Pony Premier (qualifier)
- Allianz Starfinder (qualifier)
- Future Champions (qualifier)
A very prominent class at the Championship is the Derby, this year sponsored by Equisoc which you can find stocked in TRI Equestrian stores and online.
Philip Masterson of TRI Equestrian commented that he is very happy to be associated with the Pony Championships, ‘I am very excited to be associated with such a prestigious event. I attended last year’s Championships, and was very impressed with the standard of pony riders that were present. I am looking forward to seeing each level, from grass roots to top level riders competing at different events throughout the season trying to qualify for the finals in August.’
TRI Equestrian is Ireland’s leading equestrian shop with two retail outlets and an online store. The flagship store is located beside the Curragh racecourse, Co. Kildare. The second outlet is located at the Meadows Equestrian Centre, Lurgan.
TRI Equestrian offers a wide range quality products and specialist knowledge in equine care across all equine disciplines.
Speaking about the new partnership, John McNamara, Chariman of the Pony Committee said ‘We are thrilled to have such a credible company partnered with us for the Pony Championships going forward. TRI Equestrian is great supporters of equestrian sport and it will be invaluable to have such a presence at our Championships.’
Sponsored riders spoke about their successes so far this season and what they think of the sponsorship of the National Pony Championships.
Seamus Hughes Kennedy ‘I had a great end to a fantastic season last year, I was the fifth member of the team that won European Gold and then went on to win the FEI Pony Jumping Trophy at Mechelen. I also won the Allianz Starfinder in September. This year has got off to a great start, I won the Maryville leg of the 148cm Plusvital/Holmestead Spring Tour on a new pony RTS Tommy Dunn, I was part of Gary Marshall’s team who won the Youth Nations Cup at Opglabbeek in Belgium and won the CSIOP Grand Prix at the same venue with Rock Dee Jay. I am very excited about the year ahead and want to thank TRI Equestrian for their generous support. I think it is great that they are also sponsoring the National Pony Championships, the Championships are a great place to compete against your friends and it’s always a fun few days.’
Alex Finney ‘ I have had a dream start to this season by winning the 138 Spring Tour on Dolly du Carel, with Western Oreo taking the runner up spot and Coltstown Dun Cruiser finishing fifth. I won all four legs, but Niamh pushed me hard all the way with 4 second placings and finished 3rd and 4th in the league, making it a wonderful start for TRI sponsored riders. We are continuing to battle it out in the TRI sponsored Ulster Spring Series.
Highlights of 2017 included winning the 138 Championship at the RDS on Dolly du Carel and the Young Champion of Ireland title at Millstreet with Coltstown Dun Cruiser, who also won the Mullingar Grand Prix and the first Dublin qualifier.
The sponsorship deal with TRI is amazing, and I appreciate how fortunate I am to be supported by such a forward thinking and generous company who put so much back into the sport. The TRI sponsorship of the SJI National Championships for the next 3 years is great news for pony showjumping.’
Niamh McEvoy ' I have been involved in show jumping for a long time now and competed in the R.D.S every year since I was eleven, I have won both U10 and 128 Pony Premier and also won the 138 TRI Equestrian Ulster Region Autumn Tour in 2016 and 2017. I was also crowned National Champion in 2016 with Glenford Clausa.
Internationally, in 2017 I have been placed in Fontainebleau and am hoping to build on this for 2018 with Fireman.
I compete in a lot of the National leagues and have been won both the Springboard and Gateau Stables Young Pony Series finals with Riot Del Pegulil. I have had a great start to the year with the Spring Tour where myself and Alex Finney battled it out for the podium, I finished third overall.
TRI Equestrian sponsors a lot of leagues throughout the country and it is great to see them supporting the National Pony Championships, I am really looking forward to a great weekend in August.'
Tiggy Hancock ‘This is my first season on the show jumping circuit where I competed in the Pony Spring Tour, previously, I was mainly riding working hunter ponies and have qualified three ponies for Horse Of the Year Show and was also a member of the winning Irish Working Hunter Team at Grantham International Show.
I am looking forward to doing more show jumping this year and hope to qualify for the R.D.S. I will be competing in some of the national leagues and am looking forward to the Pony Championships, I am very happy that TRI Equestrian are the sponsors this year.’
Showjumping Ireland would like to take this opportunity to thank TRI Equestrian for their very generous sponsorship and wish all our young competitors the very best of luck throughout the year.