CLARECASTLE Show chairman Michael Slattery has again raised the bar at his local show where a completely redesigned schedule sees the introduction of a lucrative range of Horse of the Year Show classes.

“It has become obvious that young horse classes have not been supported by in Ireland. In Clarecastle show we have had few entries in 2018 and 2019. In an effort to attract greater numbers and to create a greater spectacle we decided to change the format,” Slattery said.

“In my view, we have addressed the critical issues facing the showing fraternity at present – more cash, more benefit for breeders, greater exposure for sponsors and a showcase for all that is good in the Irish horse,” he added, unveiling the increased prizemoney.

This year’s show is set to take place on Saturday, August 29th and the latest increase makes the Clarecastle prizefund the richest on offer for a one-day show.

Two now well-established championships are retained in the Clarecastle schedule; the Banner Broodmare Championship and Ennis Municipal Authority All Ireland colt foal final. The Banner Broodmare Championship, won last year by John and Susanne Kelly’s Susie’s Diamond Miss, carries a prize-fund of €3,000 and features a draw for 10 stallion nominations worth €6,000.

The Irish Shows Association’s All Ireland colt foal final will once again take place at Clarecastle, which burst onto the show scene in 2016. Last year’s All Ireland champion was Patrick Wafer’s Parkmore Tyson, who completed a treble as the winning foal in The Irish Field Breeders Championship and Horse Sport Ireland eventing foal champion.

Clarecastle’s four new additional classes, each with a prize-fund of €1,200, are championships for traditional, Irish Draught and sport horse youngstock. The top four from these new championships are eligible for the Horse of the Year Grand Final and the 16 prize winners will then compete for the overall title, which carries an additional prize-fund of €5,150.

“The Banner Broodmare Championship has a prize fund of €9000, including €6000 in stallion nominations and, most importantly, we have created a prize fund of €10,000 for the Traditional Irish Horse, Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught young horse classes, leading to the identification of the “Horse of the Year 2020,” Michael told The Irish Field this week.

“We have received wonderful support from Ronan Murphy and Alison Corbally of Horse Sport Ireland, together with sponsorship from Ennis Municipal Authority and others.

“All have allowed Clarecastle Show to present a unique horse show on 29th August. I believe we can reinvigorate showing in Ireland and enhance the reputation of the Irish horse,” he added.

This is the second innovation announced for the Clare showing scene following the recent launch of the Banner Showing Bonanza. Clarecastle is one of 10 qualifying shows around the Banner County where exhibitors can gain points for the Bonanza league’s €10,000 prizefund.