Dates confirmed for €53,000 HSI Premier Series

Dates confirmed for HSI Premier Series

It was confirmed at the start of June that the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) Premier Series would resume following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, with competitions taking place behind closed doors which means only riders, grooms and show officials will be able to attend.

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

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

Showjumping Ireland (SJI) chair Eamon Rice said: “We cannot stress how appreciative we are to Horse Sport Ireland who have committed to sponsoring the full prize fund for 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 think it is great for horses, riders and owners to get the opportunity under current circumstances to compete for such good prize funds. With a lot of riders in Ireland at the moment it should make for great sport and I am really looking forward to it.”

Cian O’Connor has spent the duration of the Covid-19 lockdown at his farm in Co Meath and said he will be taking part in this year’s Premier Series.

“It has been a tough time for every business during this pandemic and it’s great to see a series being organised at great venues where we can showcase our horses at 1.50m level,” O’Connor said.

Kilkenny’s Ger O’Neill said he will be staying in Ireland to compete this summer: “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-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.”

HSI says it is continuing to explore further ways to support the return to equestrian competition in Ireland in this challenging year.