THE Children on Horses European championships will take place in Jardy, France this year from 13th to 18th July. This year these Championships are taking place at the same time as the European Junior and Young Rider Championships.

In line with this Children on Horses will now be part of Horse Sport Ireland’s Junior and Young Rider High Performance programme with Comdt John Ledingham as their High Performance Coach. Eligible riders may compete as a child from the beginning of the calendar year in which the athlete reaches the age of 12 until the end of the calendar year in which the athlete reaches the age of 14

Horse Sport Ireland have decided to provide a bursary to the rider who amasses the best placing across the 1.20m classes that take place in tandem with the HSI Chippison Spring Tour.

Four legs of the tour will also be used as Official Training/Assessment days for selecting a squad for the European championships.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Children on Horses High Performance Coach John Ledingham said that the Children on Horses Category had huge potential and that it was something that parents and Children should look closely at.

“While combinations will be expected to jump 1.30 m at the Championships there are plenty of horses in Ireland who could compete at that level and we do have talented riders. The issue is to get them together” he said.

Horse Sport Ireland would like to remind riders that they are holding a training day for prospective High Performance Children and Horses, Juniors and Young Riders with John Ledingham on Wednesday 31st March in Coilog Eventing Centre. There are a small number of places available but must be booked with Susan Kilillea at  skillilea@horsesportireland.ie or by phoning Susann in Horse Sport Ireland 045-845507.