THE Ulster region of Showjumping-Ireland this week announced details of the new Ulster Grand Prix League which will start at the Banbridge show on June 13.
The league will take place at selected venues throughout the Ulster region with the final planned for Cavan on August 30.
Each leg is open to all ShowjumpingIreland members; however league points will only be awarded to those riders who are domicile
d in Ulster.
Every leg will carry a minimum prize fund of €1,500 with the venues in June already confirmed beginning in Banbridge.
This league has been brought about following the huge success of the Connacht and Munster Grand Prix Leagues and the Ulster League will follow a similar set of criteria. With points being awarded in the same format as the National Grand Prix League and with points and a half on offer for the final, the league will no doubt be well contested.
Ulster ShowjumpingIreland region representative Janet Currie is hoping this league will help develop local riders.
"Although the league is still in its infancy, it will be modelled on the 1.30m Grand Prix Leagues that were brought about in Munster and Connacht. It will hopefully encourage more competition at that level for both horse and rider in order to progress to the next level."
With the opening four legs occurring during June, it is sure to cause plenty of talk with the Northern based riders. The dates and venues for July and August have yet to be decided but will be confirmed in the July bulletin.
ShowjumpingIreland Chairman Ronan Corrigan believes the regional leagues have contributed highly towards the strength of our riders: "It is great to see the regions providing such a good basis for our ever improving horses and riders. The success of the Connacht and Munster Leagues show that these league are well represented and have improved the standard of our riders immensely over the last number of years."
The league gets underway on June 13 at the Banbridge show which will be followed by the Saintfield Show and Kernans on June 20 and 21.
