HOME for Christmas, Bertram Allen teamed up with Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, on Wednesday to launch the 2016 Holmestead All Ireland Schools’ Hunter Trials.

The top Wexford show jumper is a former competitor of interschools competitions.

Also on hand was managing director of sponsors Holmestead Saddlery, Mags Heffernan, while fellow sponsor Wriggle was represented by Christina Clarkin while Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board is also supporting the event.

Principal of Colaiste Bhride, Linda Dunne, thanked Bertram for his support saying: “We have watched his swift progress with interest and we are very grateful for Bertram to take time out of his busy international schedule to launch this important All Ireland competition. We look forward to seeing more young hopefuls follow his footsteps and go on to compete at national and international levels.”

Holmestead Saddlery’s owner, Bill Holmes, added: “At Holmestead we strive to encourage your people to take part at every level of the sport. The competition promises to be as exciting as ever and we look forward to witnessing the future champions of the sport.”

Wriggle’s Director, Beryl Furlong, said: ‘As a provider of digital educational tools to schools across the whole of Ireland we are delighted to sponsor the All Ireland Schools’ competition where physical and intellectual skills are of paramount importance. Wriggle promotes teamwork and collaboration in the classroom which is reflected with the teams competing on the day.”

This is the first time Colaiste Bhride has been asked to host the national event. The location chosen for the demanding competition is Lisgarvan House, in Ballon, Co Carlow. The date for the event is March 12th 2016.

Entry details can be obtained from cbcarnew.ie and equetraininterschools.com. Closing date will be the beginning of February.

The 35-year-old event is the most eagerly awaited date on the Hunter Trials calendar. It is expected that more than 500 school children will take part from more than 100 schools across the country.

Colaiste Bhride, formed eighty years ago next year, has a strong equestrian tradition as befits its largely rural community. The school is gathering a range of very impressive prizes from national sponsors and there will also be advertising opportunities available. For more information, please contact Linda Dunne lindadunne@kwetb.ie or Mary Rothwell, co-ordinator maryrothwell@wicklowvec.ie