Horse Sport Ireland and Showjumping Ireland confirm dates and venues for 2020 HSI Premier Series

  • 19 June 2020, 11:59

Horse Sport Ireland and ShowjumpingIreland have announced the rescheduled dates and venues for the 2020 HSI Premier Series which carries a prize fund of just over €53,000.

It was confirmed at the start of June that the HSI Premier Series would resume following the lifting of restrictions due to Covid-19 and competitions will take place behind closed doors with strict protocols in place to ensure public safety.

The HSI Premier Series, which is the highest level of National Show Jumping in Ireland, will kick off on July 19th at Barnadown in Co Wexford. This will be followed by rounds at Mullingar (August 2nd), National Balmoral (August 16th) and Portmore Co Antrim (September 6th).

Francis Connors and Erne Ladygoldilocks who took victory in the 2019 Premier Series (Photo: Laurence Dunne/Jumpinaction.net)

Speaking after the announcement was made, Showjumping Ireland Chairman Eamon Rice was keen to thank Horse Sport Ireland for their sponsorship of the full Premier Series prize fund and said:

“We cannot stress how appreciative we are to Horse Sport Ireland who have committed to sponsoring the full prize fund of this year’s HSI Premier Series. Obviously this year our own income in SJI has been decimated by the Covid-19 crisis and this sponsorship by HSI is a real lifeline for our industry.”

Former World Champion Dermott Lennon said:

“I would like to thank and compliment Horse Sport Ireland for their generous sponsorship in the upcoming HSI Premier Series. I think it is great for horses, riders and owners to get the opportunity under current circumstances to compete for such good prize funds with the added accolade of National Champion combined. With a lot of riders in Ireland at the moment it should make for great sport and I am really looking forward to it.”

London 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Cian O’Connor added:

“I was delighted to hear about the upcoming HSI Premier Series that Showjumping Ireland have scheduled. It has been a tough time for every business during this pandemic and its great to see a series being organised at great venues where we can showcase our horses at 1.50m level, I have recently developed my farm at Karlswood and intend to compete on the series in preparation for the horses for international travel later in the year.”

Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill, 2016 gold medal winner at the World Championships for young horses in Lanaken (BEL) commented:

“I was intending to base myself abroad this summer but having seen the plans for the HSI Premier Series, I’m going to stay here in Ireland. It’s great news for riders and owners to have good prize money and venues that provide footing where you are happy to bring out your top horses.”

Kilkenny’s Susan Fitzpatrick added:

“I am delighted to hear that the HSI Premier Series is going to continue to take place this year considering the circumstances we have been faced with. This series is recognised as the pinnacle of Show jumping for Irish home-based riders and is a chance for people to get out again to showcase their Grand Prix horses. The Premier Series was the springboard for me introducing Fellow Castlefield into international competition. Irish riders owe a debt of gratitude to the competitions committee and sponsors Horse Sport Ireland for their great work done in reopening the Show Jumping circuit in Ireland.”

The HSI Premier Series will have a prize fund of €12,000 at each leg along with additional breeders prizes, young rider prizes and grooms prizes with a total financial contribution from Horse Sport Ireland of €53,000.

Horse Sport Ireland are continuing to explore further ways to support the return to equestrian competition in Ireland in this challenging year.

  • Tags: