The 2013 GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League was officially launched this afternoon (Thursday) at Ravensdale Lodge in Dundalk, the hosts of the opening leg of the league this Sunday.
This year, eight venues are taking part in the League which is jointly sponsored by GAIN Horse Feeds and Alltech for the third year in succession.
Twelve months ago, Cian O’Connor came out on top of a titanic duel with Eddie Moloney in one of the most fascinating Leagues to be seen for many years. With only a handful of legs remaining, there was at least six riders still in with a chance of the title before O’Connor and Moloney eventually pulled away in the final three legs.
It was O’Connor who was triumphant in the Final at the Cavan International Show beating Moloney into second to ensure that he claimed the League title once again.
The 2013 League kicks off on Sunday in Ravensdale before highlighting the Cavan Indoor Championships on Sunday 29th September. The League stays in Ulster then with Kernan’s in Crossmaglen on October 6th, the Northern Indoor Championships on October 13th before coming back to Cavan Equestrian Centre on October 20th. Killossery Lodge Stud in Meath host the League on the Bank Holiday Monday on October 28th before the penultimate leg in Wexford Equestrian on November 2nd. The Final leg is again taking place at the Cavan International Show on Friday November 8th.
Speaking during the week, reigning GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League Champion, Cian O’Connor commented; ‘’The Autumn Grand Prix League is an important part of the SJI Calendar. I have been fortunate to have won it a few times in the past and it is always very competitive. It allows younger horses to develop to Grand Prix level and also as most legs are indoors, it is a great prep for the indoor Shows abroad such as the Horse of the Year Show and Olympia, as the horses need to get used to the tighter space of indoor jumping.
ShowjumpingIreland Chairman, Tony Hurley commended the two global companies for their continued support of the Autumn Grand Prix League; ‘’It is fantastic to see both GAIN and Alltech getting involved in the Autumn Grand Prix League once again and I commend them for the support. The Autumn Grand Prix League is extremely important to ShowjumpingIreland and always providing a thrilling finale to the Season. We have had an excellent year so far and I think that the GAIN/Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League is sure to add to, what is already, a memorable year.’’
Rob O’Keeffe, GAIN Horse Feeds Marketing Manager spoke on behalf of GAIN Horse Feeds; ‘’We are delighted to be supporting the GAIN and Alltech Autumn Grand Prix League for the third year in succession. The league last year was fantastic with Cian O’Connor clinching the title in a superb finale with Eddie Moloney. We would like to wish all participants the very best of luck in this year’s League”
John Lawlor of Alltech relayed those sentiments; ‘’Alltech are proud to be associated with SJI for the Autumn Grand Prix league once again following great success over the last couple of years. We are also delighted to be working with Gain Horse feeds and taking our partnership in feed to the next level by being involved with Ireland’s top competitors in the show jumping league. We would like to wish all participants the best of luck and we look forward to another exciting league.”