SHOWING Ireland, the Association for Show Horses in Ireland, this week launched the second renewal of the Connolly’s Red Mills Champion of Champions, which will culminate at Tattersalls Show on Sunday, July 21st.

The Champion, Reserve Champion and highest placed four-year-old from a series of nine summers shows nationwide will qualify to compete at Tattersalls Show, where the winner will be crowned the Connolly’s Red Mills Supreme Champion of Champions.

The aim of the series is to promote the Irish Show Horse and safeguard showing classes and support the Agricultural Shows across the country.

The list of qualifiers has been expanded to include nine shows and a new amateur and best turned out awards have been added to final at Tattersalls.

Prize fund

This year the final prize fund is €3,000, with the overall Red Mills Champion of Champions taking home €1000, the Reserve Champion will receive €400, the highest place four-year-old will get €450 while the highest placed amateur will be awarded €350. A further €750 will be divided between all the qualified horses who attend the final. The best turned out will win €50 and a voucher for the Red Mills Store in Cillin Hill, Co Kilkenny.

Chairman of the Showing Ireland, Angus McDonnell, said: “We’re really excited for the second renewal of the Connolly’s Red Mills Champion of Champions Series. The original aim will create a platform to showcase the quality horses and talented riders and producers that we have here in Ireland while supporting the country shows.

“Last year was a great success, with a wonderful final in Tattersalls and we are looking forward to building on year one and expanding it even further,” he added.

Jane Davis, Equine Brand Manager, Connolly’s Red Mills, added: “The Irish summer show season is steeped in tradition and is at the heart of rural Ireland which Red Mills is very proud to support with this sponsorship.

List of qualifying shows:

1 Middleton Sun May 26th

2 Athenry Sun May 26th

3 Armagh Sat June 8th

4 Ballivor Sun June 9th

5 Gorey Sat June 15th

6 Charleville Sun June 30th

7 Adamstown Sat July 6th

8 Clonmel Sun July 7th

9 Bannow Thurs July 11th

Final Tattersalls Sun July 21st