1954
The Southern Organisation hosted competitions mainly along the east coast of the country and in 1954 they invited their Northern friends to a meeting at the Ballymascanlon Hotel, Co. Louth. With true Show Jumping joviality they got together to form the Show Jumping Association.
1968
The first Director General was appointed in 1968. Colonel Jack Lewis took command of the Central Registry in Dublin. The first premises for the Show Jumping Association was in St. Stephens Green, Fitzwilliam Street, Lesson Street. The Farm Center and then to the Royal Dublin Society, to Kildare Paddocks, Kill, Co. Kildare and finally our own premises in Beech House, Millennium Park in Naas, Co. Kildare.
Achievements
Our achievements as a Show Jumping National are numerous with great riders and Horse combinations, such as Iris Kellet on Rusty, Tommy Brennan on Kilkenny, Seamus Hayes on Goodbye, Tommy Wade with Dundrum, Col. Ringrose with Lock an Easpig, Leslie Fitzpatrick on High Society, Larry Kiely with Inniscara, Eddie Macken on Boomerang, Paul Darragh on Heather Honey and Rockbarton piloted by Capt. Con Power and Col. Gerry Mullins to name just a few.
1969
The First European Medal was won in 1969 by Paul Darragh on Errigal in Dinard, France. In 1971 The Junior Team Gold was won at Hickstead. The team was Paul Darragh, Kevin Barry, Marilyn Dawson and Charlie Curtis. The first Senior World Championship Medal was brought home in 1974 by Eddie Macken competing on Pele – Silver Medal winners on that occasion. Eddie repeated this achievement on Boomerang in 1978 at Aachen. The following year he teamed up with Capt. Con Power, Capt. Gerry Mullins and Capt. John Roche to win Team Bronze at Rotterdam. In 1995 Peter Charles won the Individual European Gold Medal at Stgarlen, Switzerland. The next time Ireland won a European Senior Medal was in 2001. Jessica Kurten, Dermott Lennon, Kevin Babington, and Peter Charles.
Down through the years since 1929 Ireland has won in excess of 70 Nations Cup wins. In 1999 – 2000 our Team won the world record of 10 wins, which earned them the Samsung Nations Cup Championship.
They have represented Ireland throughout the world at Nations Cup level and as individuals have represented Ireland at major International fixtures making us a very proud Show Jumping Nation - Gaining successes too numerous to include in this brief account of Show Jumping history.
2002
22nd September, 2002, Dermott Lennon became World Showjumping Champion - the first Irish Rider ever. He will hold the title for four years and has automatically qualified for the Olympics, Athens in 2004.
On Friday, 8th July 2003 our headquarters moved from offices at Anglesea Lodge, Anglesea Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 to Kildare Paddocks, Kill, Co. Kildare.
2006
National Horse Championships are revived and are held at Barnadown, Co Wexford after a 10 year absence. SJAI launches Points Online service as a free to view facility.
2007
In July 2007 the SJAI moved into their own premises in Beech house, Millennium Park, Naas, Co Kildare. The new Premier Series was launched with the aim of creating a higher standard of jumping. 2007 also sees the introduction of Online Registration service and points online service is updated. SJAI takes four seats on Horse Sport Ireland as its formally comes into existence.
2008
During 2008 The Show Jumping Association of Ireland commenced operating under its new Brand Name ShowjumpingIreland & launched a new range of merchandice for riders and supporters. A new logo is also introduced , the end of 2008 SJI introduce a new website and launch a new online TV viewing service.