Showjumping
The nucleus for all Show Jumping events in Ireland comes under the Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI). There are four regions within the association, Munster, Leinster, Northern and Connaught regions.
All horses, riders and owners must have current registration with the SJAI in order to compete at Show Jumping events both internationally and nationally and to accumulate points. Riders and horses who are not registered may compete on a temporary ticket but may not accumulate points.
Shows and Venues
There are affiliated shows held throughout Ireland, during the calendar year. Shows take place at outdoor venues between March and September and the Indoor season operates from September until November. A list of venues is available from the SJAI website and head office at Kill, Co Kildare.
The Royal Dublin Horse Show is held annually in August, and is one of the premier shows held in Ireland. It runs for five days at the beginning of August and attracts international competitors in Show Jumping, showing and dressage.
Cavan Equestrian Centre is also a well-known venue, at which international and national competitions take place.
The Northern Ireland International Horse Show is held at the end of October. This is the third time this show has been held. It is held in the Odyssey arena in Belfast. It attracts many top international riders and horses. View press association article
Horses and Ponies
Horse and Pony Show Jumping classes are divided into two different sections.
Ponies are categorised in heights of 1. 28 m, 1.38 m and 1.48 m classes. The heights are then divided again into grades of D, C, B, A, novice level and ABC open level, the ponies will compete in their relevant class for points. Points are awarded every time a pony jumps two clear rounds in a novice class, these points accumulate and once a certain number of points are achieved the pony will be upgraded to the next level where Show Jumping tracks will be more challenging.
Horse classes are identified in categories depending on the height of jumps. The heights are 0.9 m, 1.00 m, 1.10 m, 1.20 m, 1.30 m, 1.40 m and 1.50 m Grand Prix. Again every time a horse jumps two clear rounds it will receive points. However, horses differ from ponies as they can jump at any height regardless of the number of points they have, but they can only jump in three consecutive classes. For example, if a horse is jumping 1.00 m, the other classes in which it can compete in are 0.90 m, 1.00 m, 1.10 m and 1.20 m.
Course Builders and Judges
It would be impossible for registered shows to run without course builders and judges.
A course builder must participate in a course and sit examinations to obtain qualifications enabling him to build a Show Jumping track at shows. It is a difficult and technical task to build a course, which will test the skill, accuracy and athleticism of both horse and rider.
Judges start as assistant judges, who work alongside senior judges to gain experience. Once the judges feel that the assistant judge is sufficiently knowledgeable about the techniques of building tracks status they are promoted to judge. They then sit exams to be upgraded to senior, national and international judges.
Links to Show Jumping WebSites
Equestrian Federation of Ireland 
The National governing body for all equestrian sport in Ireland with the exception of horse racing.
The National governing body for all equestrian sport in Ireland with the exception of horse racing.
