Northern Ireland International Horse Show
Top international show jumpers will be beating a path to Belfast later this year for the first Northern Ireland International Horse Show, it was announced today, Thursday 15/6/2006.
Released by : Press Association
What is due to become an annual indoor event will be staged in the Odyssey Arena between October 19-22.
Some of the best known and most respected names in international show jumping are expected by the organisers to compete in the show, which carries a prize fund of more than £100,000.
But the event organisers emphasised it would also create an important showcase for Irish riders and five qualifying rounds will be held for riders on both sides of the border during July and August.
Announcing plans and the programme of Irish qualification, Raymond Jess, qualifiers director, said: "We`re enormously proud to be presenting this opportunity to riders from across Ireland to compete against some of the best names in their sport and delighted to be bringing the international spotlight to bear on local talent."
He said it was a great opportunity for Irish riders to shine.
"The Northern Ireland International Horse Show will itself be the start of an important new tradition and we look forward to a fabulous long weekend of competition and camaraderie this autumn."
The new show is being staged by a team of influential Northern Irish business people who say they will ensure the commercial as well as equestrian success.
The team say they have a high level of sponsorship from leading brands already in place and are already planning shows beyond 2006.
Chairman of the show board is Joe Sloan, chairman of SHS Group, a £300 million plus company with some 700 employees in Britain and Ireland.
He said: "The members of the board bring together top class equestrian credentials coupled with a strong commercial ethos.
"We all share a passion for horses and we are all committed to the dream of delivering a really fabulous international horse show to Northern Ireland."
He added that they were equally determined to deliver an event which was financially sound and which had the potential to develop still further in future years.
The new show will combine sportsmanship with showbusiness in what the organisers say is a unique and spectacular style aimed at pleasing both general public and the equestrian community.
Apart from the show jumping there will be fun events including world class stunt rides and equine display acts.
Some of the best known and most respected names in international show jumping are expected by the organisers to compete in the show, which carries a prize fund of more than £100,000.
But the event organisers emphasised it would also create an important showcase for Irish riders and five qualifying rounds will be held for riders on both sides of the border during July and August.
Announcing plans and the programme of Irish qualification, Raymond Jess, qualifiers director, said: "We`re enormously proud to be presenting this opportunity to riders from across Ireland to compete against some of the best names in their sport and delighted to be bringing the international spotlight to bear on local talent."
He said it was a great opportunity for Irish riders to shine.
"The Northern Ireland International Horse Show will itself be the start of an important new tradition and we look forward to a fabulous long weekend of competition and camaraderie this autumn."
The new show is being staged by a team of influential Northern Irish business people who say they will ensure the commercial as well as equestrian success.
The team say they have a high level of sponsorship from leading brands already in place and are already planning shows beyond 2006.
Chairman of the show board is Joe Sloan, chairman of SHS Group, a £300 million plus company with some 700 employees in Britain and Ireland.
He said: "The members of the board bring together top class equestrian credentials coupled with a strong commercial ethos.
"We all share a passion for horses and we are all committed to the dream of delivering a really fabulous international horse show to Northern Ireland."
He added that they were equally determined to deliver an event which was financially sound and which had the potential to develop still further in future years.
The new show will combine sportsmanship with showbusiness in what the organisers say is a unique and spectacular style aimed at pleasing both general public and the equestrian community.
Apart from the show jumping there will be fun events including world class stunt rides and equine display acts.
