TEN West of Ireland shows have clubbed together to run a new young horse championship this summer. Concerned by falling numbers in young horse class entries, representatives from the participating shows met in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris and came up with the proactive idea of the Ireland West Young Horse Championship, in partnership with Baileys Horse Feeds.

To qualify for the final, youngstock must compete in their age class at any three of the following shows: Westport (June 1st), Enniscrone (July 6th), Ballina (July 13th), Louisburgh (July 20th), Crossmolina (July 26th), Erris (July 27th), Claremorris (August 3rd), Bonniconlon (August 4th) and Swinford (August 24th).

The final will then be held at Ballinrobe Show on Sunday, September 7th, when three classes for yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds, each with a €700 prize fund, will be held.

The top two from each class then qualify for the championship, where a tonne of Baileys Horse Feeds is another incentive in the prize stakes.

Each of the 10 western shows have contributed €200 towards the prize fund. The championship is open to owners from across the country

“Delighted to help and support this new championship,” commented Baileys Horse Feeds Judy Maxwell yesterday at Balmoral Show where the feed company also sponsored the Balmoral Star of the Future Performance Horse Championship.

“Liam Lynskey put this idea to me a couple of months ago and would I be interested? And I said ‘Yes’, because Liam has been a good supporter of Baileys for years, for feeding his horses. And why wouldn’t I support Liam!”