MULLINGAR International Horse Show is set to host 3,000 horses competing across a packed schedule offering the highest prize money of €100,000 for the top midlands show.
It’s expected over 10,000 visitors will flock to Mullingar Equestrian Centre for the international fixture (May 30th-June 1st), now running for its eighth consecutive year over the June bank holiday weekend.
This family event also offers much more than horses with music, a children’s fun fair, food fayre and a lot more on display.
Show director Robert Fagan said: “Mullingar International Horse Show is set to be the biggest and best, and the programme has many activities, both equestrian and non-equestrian.
“Events will kick off on May 29th running until June 1st with nine international classes, three Horse Sport Ireland classes and almost 70 national classes. And this year we are privileged to be hosting the final stage of the Devenish Bet Showjumping Live inaugural competition which is a spectator-focused event.”
The new Devenish Bet Showjumping live competition, which will conclude at the Mullingar International Horse Show, is an exciting event where 32 combinations are drawn into four groups of eight. The winner of each group will then compete in a final round for a prize pot of €20,000 all against the clock.
“We are also very excited this year to be welcoming over the Horseman Team from France, a novel attraction for an Irish horse show,’’ said Fagan.
Show organisers are once again organising competitions with great prizes on offer plus exclusive VIP tickets on sale for the weekend. These tickets include VIP entrance, reserved parking, reserved ring side seats, afternoon tea and lunch with a complimentary glass of wine.
PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Continuing from the success of last year, the Mullingar International Pony Championships have secured a high calibre sponsor in Coolmore and the ponies have the advantage of jumping on the international grass arena.
The winner of the Mullingar International Amateur Grand Prix will receive two nights at the Hampton Hotel in Ballsbridge with tickets to the Dublin Horse Show also included in the prize.
The leading young rider prize is again sponsored by Five Star International Transport and will be transported to the hallowed grounds of Hickstead to compete in the under 25 Masters Class.
The ever popular showing classes will take place on Saturday, May 30th. The working hunter classes will be a qualifier for the Equi Festival, which will be taking place in Mullingar Equestrian later on this year.
Long-term supporters, Pegus Horse Feeds, have again sponsored the Puissance competition on the action-packed Sunday, May 31st. The winner of this competition has a golden ticket to compete at the Puissance at the Dublin Horse Show.
The highlight of the show – Mullingar International Grand Prix - takes place on Monday, June 1st when a host of Irish and international show jumpers will compete for a prize fund of €24,500.
The long tradition of the Pro-Am pony relay is the not-to-be-missed curtain closer. This competition is great fun and a fundraiser for the local charity, the North Westmeath Hospice.
Mullingar Equestrian Centre will also unveil their new Olympic size sand arena that they have been working on for a number of months. Of an extremely high quality and standard, the facility is one of very few of its kind in Ireland.
Tickets are €10 and children go free.