A NUMBER of new venues are to host national championships on behalf of the Association of Irish Riding Clubs this year.

Lisgarvan House near Ballon, Co. Carlow will host the National Horse Trials Championships on Sunday 2nd September.

The National Dressage Championships are also moving to a new venue in Upper Wood outside Freshford, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday 12th August.

The remaining venues are unchanged, with Flowerhill Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway hosting the National Hunter Trials Championships, which will kick start the championship programme.

The full list of dates and venues for the coming season are:
15th April 2012 - Hunter Trials Championships, Flowerhill Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway

9th & 10th June 2012 - Riding Clubs Festival, Stradbally Hall Estate, Co. Laois

15th July 2012 - Show Jumping Championships, Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath

12th August 2012 - Dressage Championships, Upper Wood, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny

19th August 2012 - Team Show Jumping Championship, Royal Dublin Society, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

2nd September 2012 - Horse Trials Championships, Lisgarvan House, Ballon, Co. Carlow

16th September 2012 - Masters Series, Mullingar Equestrian Centre, Co. Westmeath