The Riding Clubs Festival returns to Mullingar Equestrian Centre this weekend and has entries of almost 1,800 across 70 classes in dressage, show jumping, showing and working hunter.
There are 630 entries across the wide range of show jumping competitions on offer while Solihull Riding Club, who won the senior open team championship at the British Riding Clubs championships last September, will feature in the TRI Equestrian Team Show Jumping Challenge on Sunday.
There are four main championships on offer in the Horse Sport Ireland showing rings this year with just over 620 entries while the dressage programme includes the Irish Field Team Dressage Challenge along with competitions in dressage to music, long arena, musical ride and prix caprilli.
Asides from the huge number of competitions on offer, there will be a trade village with a variety of exhibitors while the social programme of events will see the return of Tony’s Table Quiz on Friday night while each region will battle it out for the glitterball trophy in a fun talent show on Saturday night which will be followed by a disco.
Asides from this, the three main sponsors of the two-day show have reaffirmed their commitment to the event.
TRI Equestrian’s managing director Philip Masterson said, “We are delighted to be the title sponsor of show jumping at this years AIRC Riding Clubs Festival. TRI Equestrian is the leading retailer and wholesaler of equestrian products in Ireland while AIRC is one of the most respected equestrian associations in Ireland and we are thrilled to collaborate together with this sponsorship. We would like to wish all competitors the best of luck throughout the weekend.”
The Irish Fields managing editor, Leo Powell, who sponsors the dressage, said,
Once again I am thrilled that we are sponsoring at this year’s Riding Club Festival. The Irish Field has been a staunch supporter of the Festival for some time now, and this year we will have a chance to showcase our new-look paper to members of the AIRC.
“This year I was elected President of AIRC, marking what I hope is seen as a personal commitment to the ideals of the association. I love what the AIRC stands for, and the weekend in Mullingar is one that I am looking forward to immensely. I wish all competitors the very best and hope this year’s Festival is as successful as ever.”
Meanwhile, Horse Sport Ireland’s Director of Breeding & Programmes, Alison Corbally, said
Once again we are delighted to be sponsoring the Irish Draught performance and showing classes in the annual Riding Club Festival. We are delighted to see a consistent increase in the number of Irish Draughts coming out to compete at this level. It shows great support for our native breeds. We look forward to yet another fantastic event.
Association of Irish Riding Clubs chairman, Tony Ennis said, “this years show will see over 670 riders, almost 700 horses taking part from 95 of our Member Clubs from around the country. This weekend gives everyone a chance to meet up and relax while enjoying their sport.”
“I also want to thank our loyal sponsors for their commitment to our flagship event as it would be impossible to stage this event without their support,” he added.
