THE Horse Sport Ireland jumping challenge gets under way at 2.15pm next Friday with the Bottle Green International Grand Prix at Balmoral Park.

The Challenge, launched in April, offers a €10,000 bonus for the rider who gains the most points by finishing in the first three at three of the four home CSI shows of Balmoral, Mullingar (June 4th), Millstreet (August 19th) and Cavan Indoor (November).

From Wednesday to Friday there are five other two-star classes at Balmoral including the Holmestead Saddlery jump-off class on day one which marks the Tyrella store’s return as a trade exhibitor at Balmoral after 30 years.

Horses have had to qualify for the four national championships, most of which take place on Wednesday with those in the Botanica International amateur championship taking over the Main Arena on Saturday morning, followed by the Bluegrass Horse Feeds inter-schools open team championship. The jumping concludes with the Millar McCall Wylie 128cms championship for riders under 10.