EQUESTRIAN Interschools Ireland (EII) has implemented a number of changes to attract new members in advance of the new season.

The TRI-sponsored Interschools League will commence on September 11th in Wexford Equestrian Centre and will be run over eight months at 29 venues.

While the league is for open riders attending secondary schools, most venues also run competitions for novice secondary school riders and for primary school students.

Equestrian Interschools Ireland is now inviting all equestrian inter-schools competitors to become members of EII and receive a unique membership number and membership card. The main benefit of membership is additional insurance cover.

Equestrian Interschools Ireland has aligned itself with Howden UK Group Ltd, which will offer public liability insurance to all Equestrian Interschools Ireland members (primary and secondary) while they are riding at a TRI Equestrian Interschools affiliated league event.

Organisers of affiliated events can now also avail of public liability event insurance for their inter-schools competition by contacting Howden UK Group Ltd. Membership can be obtained at www.itsplainsailing.com/club/eii

EII has also expanded its points system for the coming season. To date the best of five scores earned throughout the year was taken into the final but this will be changed to the best of seven scores. Of these, the best four scores earned before the Christmas break and best three scores after the Christmas break will be used in the calculation. The move is an attempt to encourage riders to continue with the league during the season when they would typically move across to hunting or hunter Trials. All these rule changes can be found on www.equestrianinterschools.com