A TOTAL of 186 riders were assessed over the course of nine assessment days in this year’s Silver Spurs, making it a recording breaking year for the scheme.

The top 10 riders from each of the eight categories now head to the semi-finals and final which take place in The National Horse Sport Arena, Abbottstown on the 14th and 15th of August. Of the 10 riders competing in each of the semi-finals, the top three will proceed to the final ride-off.

This year also saw the addition of a new children on horses category, which was very well received. Riders were assessed by Andrew Harris. Harris is a British Pony selector and also has a background in eventing. Overall he was very impressed with the standard of riding and the enthusiasm of the riders.

A special thanks goes to the sponsors of Silver Spurs: Dressage Ireland, Irish Sport Horse, Freedom Saddlery, Shanaghan Veterinary Services, Egger Best Box UK and Ireland and Mirrors for Training.

The leaderboard after round three shows how tight it can be at the top. In almost all of the categories there is only one or two marks between the top riders.

Although the final leaderboard has not been completed quite yet, the leaderboard post round three shows how tight at the top it can get.

We would, at this point, like to say a huge thanks to our sponsors without whom this would not be possible: Dressage Ireland, Irish Sport Horse, Freedom Saddlery, Shanaghan Veterinary Services, Egger Best Box UK and Ireland and Mirrors for Training.