Dates and venues confirmed for 2021 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series

The dates, venues and criteria for the 2020 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series have been announced, with many of Ireland’s top riders excited at the chance to once again compete at the highest level with their top young horses. The series, for five, six and seven-year-old Irish Sport Horses, is now in its 17th year in existence and for 2021, there will be €80,000 in prize money on offer from the Irish Sport Horse Studbook.

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series has been key to the development and preparation of Irish horses for the future and in particular for the World Championships for young horses, held each year in Lanaken, Belgium. In 2019, a stunning performance saw Irish horses and riders claim four of the nine World Championship medals on offer at the Championships.

Alison Corbally, HSI Director of Breeding and Programmes said:

“It’s a great boost for the breeders and producers to have a calendar of events from late April through the summer months. Events such as this are extremely important to keep young horse production in Ireland moving forwards. We wish all breeders, owners and riders the best of luck for this year’s competitions and look forward to seeing you all again.”

Waterford’s Gemma Phelan, who won the 2020 ISH Studbook Series final with MHS Sunday Girl (ISH) owned and bred by John and Michael Brennan, said:

“I thoroughly enjoy jumping our young horses year after year in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series. It is Irelands best way to produce young horses steadily in a safe and careful environment. These classes offer great experience to the young horses as they get to jump over two days in the best venues around Ireland with the best course designers. These classes prepare them for the bigger classes ahead’

Fermanagh’s Catherine Thornton won the 6-year-old ISH SJ Series in 2020 riding Coachella (ISH). Coachella (ISH) is by Ustinov out of Icing by Cruising (ISH)(TIH) bred by Tom & Linda Magee and owned by Catherine Thornton and David Campbell.

Catherine said “The ISH Studbook series has given me a great opportunities and a platform to show my horses over the years. When Coachella (ISH) won in 2020 it added an extra sense of achievement as she had been produced through the Studbook series as a five-year-old. She was always consistently in the placings and I am excited by her future potential. The addition of breeders prizes last year were certainly appreciated and it is excellent to see breeders such as Tom and Linda Magee getting the recognition they deserve. I will continue to produce her through the ISH SJ Series this year and aim for the same successes in the 7-year-old classes.’

Each leg of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series will take place under strict Covid-19 protocols and will run behind closed doors unless there is a change to Government restrictions over the coming months.

Riders and owners should ensure they familiarise themselves with the criteria. Particular attention should be paid to information on entries for these classes.

Dates and venues for the 2021 Irish Sport Horse Studbook Showjumping Series are as follows:

The Meadows – 24^th & 25^th April
Galway Equestrian – 1^st and 2^nd May
Barnadown – 8^th & 9^th May
Cavan – 15^th & 16^th May
Mullingar – 5^th and 6^th June
Balmoral – 10^th & 11^th July
Maryville – 17^th & 18^th July                                                                                                                                              Tattersalls – 24^th & 25^th July