LOUTH COUNTY SHOW
IN AID OF CHARITY
By kind permission of Mr & Mrs Tommy McGuinness Dromiskin Dundalk Co. Louth
Cian O'Connor and Baloufina on their way to winning the 2009 Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix at Louth County
In 2001 the gates of the Circle T Ranch in Dromiskin were opened for the inaugural Louth County Show. The show proved to be a huge success and continuing to run on Tommy McGuinness of Horseware’s ideal grounds, has gone from strength to strength.
As the first grass show of the season, Louth County has proven to be a popular venue and rightly so acting as a launching pad for the outdoor season’s most prestigious leagues. As well as hosting the first leg of the Premier Series, Louth County also gets pony riders off to a good start hosting legs of both the Under 8/10 National Discovery League and the Glencarrig Lady League.
Louth County Show is set for Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April. As the first grass show of the season, Louth County has proven to be a popular venue amongst riders and spectators alike and rightly so; acting as a launching pad for the summer season’s most prestigious show jumping leagues.
It is the first venue of the season to host a Premier Series Grand Prix as well as getting the pony divisions off to a good start with both the Under 8/10 National Discovery League and the Glencarrig Lady League.
The show is held by kind permission of Tom McGuinness of Horseware on his grounds at the Circle T Ranch in Dromiskin, on the old Dublin road after the Coachmans Tavern. The action will kick off at 9.00am sharp on Saturday and currently in its tenth year the show is getting bigger and better each time around
Saturday’s event to watch though will undoubtedly be the €2,500 Grand Prix which acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s highlight, The Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix.
As the only Grand Prix of its kind in the area it has attracted a lot of interest in the past and last year nearly fifty competitors threw their hat in the ring hoping to earn their place in Sunday’s decider. With only the top thirty riders earning the chance to compete in this elite class it offers spectators a chance to see an elite few of our top riders battling it out for the huge €12,000 on offer as well as an early lead in this league.
Last year Cian O’Connor took the honours aboard Baloufina. Louth County has always proven to be a lucky spot for the Co. Meath based rider with 2009 as his fourth Grand Prix win at the venue and no doubt O’Connor will be striving to make it number five this time round.
Also boasting a range of pony classes which are sure to be hotly contested the show caters for every level of competitor. Sunday’s 148cms Horseware Pony Grand Prix shouldn’t be missed as most of these competitors could give the senior riders a run for their money in the speed stakes.
Also not to be missed is the opportunity to browse through Horseware’s tent sale which will offer great value for money. This is the sale’s second year at the show and it will run on Saturday and Sunday.
The show is run in aid of charity with the proceeds of the event going to good causes and over the last nine years the show has raised over €100,000. Like previous years many local businesses have rallied around to support the show and sponsor the classes. All members of the public are welcome to attend and admission is free to all making it an ideal family outing and a must see event for any horse or pony lover.
This year all entries in arena one are pre-entry with the SJI Office the preceding Friday by 4pm. No late entries will be accepted and a deposit or credit card payment must be paid at the time of entry.
2010 will also see the return of the Horseware Tent Sale which last year offered excellent value for money on a range of items. Running on Saturday and Sunday this on site sale will undoubtedly again attract plenty of interest.
Now entering its tenth year Louth County has continues to run for a good cause as over the last nine years the show has raised over €100,000 for deserving charities such as Drumcar, United Christian Aid and the Louth Hospice Cancer Unit
Grand Prix Winners
2009 Cian O’Connor & Baloufina
2008 Tholm Keane & Warrenstown You 2
2007 Cian O’Connor & Markopaulo
2006 Paul O’Shea & The Patriot
2005 Harry Marshall & All Shook Up
2004 Cian O’Connor & Annabella
2003 Cian O’Connor & Casper
2002 Stephen Smith & Desert Prince
2001 Tom Slattery & Coille Mor Hill
Stabling:
Sally Cox 085 7766005
Niall Connelly 087 2306603
Alice Wilson 042 9380073
Caroline McGuirk 087 1375738
Hotels
Carrickdale Hotel: 042 9371397
Crowne Plaza Hotel: 042 9394913
Fairways Hotel: 042 9321500
Park Inn: 042 9395700
Bed & Breakfast:
Keernaun: 087 2580465
Green Gates: 087 9441217
Fairlawns: 042 9323813
Failte Guest House: 042 9335152
Arlee: 042 9351984
LOUTH COUNTY IS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY HORSEWARE IRELAND
