(Left) Tholm Keane on his way to winning the 2008 Horseware Premier Series Grand Prix at Louth County
Louth County Show for the first year will now offer three days jumping running on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th 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 kicking off the pony division’s equivalent and acts as a showcase for the up and coming young talent with the opening round of the Pony Starfinder and the Irish Horse Board Studbook league which runs throughout the summer.
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 Friday and currently in its ninth 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 kicks off at 3pm sharp and acts as a qualifier for Sunday’s highlight, The Premier Series Horseware 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 over sixty 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 Tholm Keane continued a run of good form to take the honours aboard Irish tenor Ronan Tynan’s Warrenstown You 2. Fresh from victory in the Guidam Spring Tour the Waterford man got his outdoor season off to a good start at Louth County and proved consistent throughout the year taking the eventual runner up spot in the Premier Series and the National Grand Prix league.
Also boasting a range of pony classes which are sure to be hotly contested the show caters for every level of competitor. Sunday’s Premier Pony League shouldn’t be missed as most of these competitors in all three height categories 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 eight years the show has raised in the region of €100,000. Like previous years many local businesses have rallied around to support the show and sponsor the classes while local radio station LMFM will be on site all weekend 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.
LOUTH COUNTY IS KINDLY SUPPORTED BY HORSEWARE IRELAND
