CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS MUNSTER GRAND PRIX LEAGUE

THE Munster League came about when the region ran a greyhound night fundraiser in 2008 to raise money for competitions in the region. This fundraiser took place every year until 2014 and the Munster Grand Prix League was one of four competitions to benefit from it. Due to the popularity of the league, it grew from eight legs to 18.

In 2012, Connolly’s Red Mills came on board as sponsors and they continue as sponsors to this day. In 2014 the league benefited from the LEADER program and, as a result, the support team was able to build new fences and buy camera equipment. It is due to the assistance of Gary Doyle and his family that the fences and hoarding make an appearance at every show, while Kay Doyle lends a hand in videoing the 1.20m speed class.

Over the last five years, the league has been filmed and shown on Irish Horse TV, which reportedly gets well over 10,000 hits each week. Along with the main Grand Prix, a 1.20 speed class takes place beforehand. This, now called the 360 Equine Precision Solutions, is proving equally as important.

The region also has a 1.10m class for which the search is under way for a sponsor. Like the other leagues, the draw is that the rounds take place at popular venues in the area and the prize money is very worthwhile. In the Grand Prix, the leading rider/horse combination received a prize fund of €2,000, while the leading pro-am rider receives €300 and the leading young rider €200. Each leg has a minimum prize fund of €2,000 so there is no shortage of entries.

This year’s champion was Francis Connors, and he is a great supporter having been crowned the Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Grand Prix League Champion no less than four times in the last five years.

Speaking about the league, Connors said: “I can’t stress enough the value of the regional leagues as they are an important stepping stone for horses moving up to Grand Prix level. All of my now Grand Prix horses would have competed in the Munster League at one point.

“In Munster, we have reaped the benefit of really good fences which are well looked after. The video-taping at the rounds is also an important tool for selling horses and they have great value. There is a lot of logistics and those involved need to be commended for their efforts as do the sponsors Connolly’s Red Mills.”

The leading Young Rider trophy also went to Co Waterford, with Dungarvan’s Nicholas Connors taking the top prize.