SHOW JUMPING is to make a welcome return to Athlone Agriculture Show on Sunday, June 25th.

There is a full line-up of registered SJI classes for horses and ponies ranging from newcomers up to 1.20m. This element of the show has gained much support from local equestrian business with Jim Derwin, Bourns Sport Horses, Recharge, Athlone Equestrian, Rohan Transport and Essentially Equestrian all coming on board to support efforts to reintroduce showjumping to one of biggest agricultural shows in the region.

The committee have also announced that Irish Thoroughbred Marketing will sponsor the €750 racehorse to riding horse class, Top Spec are sponsoring the side saddle qualifier while Matrix Bathrooms are sponsoring the €500 Connemara Elite Mare Class.

Section co-ordinator Gillian Kinahan said: “We have a great selection of showing and working hunter classes and we felt that show jumping is important to the area and we are grateful to the support from the local business. We have great facilities in Athlone Equestrian and we thought that we should make the most of them.”