Emer Bermingham

THE Irish Masters at Emerald Equestrian this weekend promises to be an exhibition of top class show jumping with leading riders battling it out in a range of classes from young horses up to Grand Prix level.

It’s the first major show for Ireland’s newest equestrian centre.

Over 30 of Ireland’s top riders will be competing alongside a number of visiting riders from the UK, including some of the Whitaker family.

Action kicked off yesterday with the PDS Engineering 1.10m class followed by the Whyte Melia Electrical 1.20m class. The evening performances began with the the €6,000 Equestrian Surfaces Ireland Invitational Championship Grand Prix, followed by a masterclass demonstration by leading event riders Sarah Ennis, Nicola Ennis and Katie O’Sullivan.

Today’s (Saturday) classes at the Enfield venue include the €3,000 CT PR & Event Management five-year-old final, followed by an accumulator class and a stallion production masterclass by Tholm Keane and Derek McConnell.

Saturday afternoon promises more nail-biting jumping as riders battle it out in the Majestic Cavalier relay competition while the evening performance will see leading riders Greg Broderick and Ger O’Neill, host a masterclass on producing a young horse. Tonight’s main event will be the €5,000 Emerald International Masters qualifier, which will immediately be followed by the ever popular Puissance competition.

Tomorrow (Sunday), young horses will get a chance to demonstrate their talents in the €3,000 Bourns Sport Horse six- year-old final followed by the seven-year-old final, which also boasts a €3,000 prize fund.

For entertainment, spectators will be treated to a fancy dress speed class. Following this there will be a repeat of the Greg Broderick and Ger O’Neill Masterclass, before the Jim Derwin young rider final. Later in the evening, former World Champion Dermott Lennon will host a masterclass just before the show main event as riders battle for the €15,000 Emerald International 1.50m Grand Prix.

The leading rider and young rider of the show will then be crowned before the curtain closes on what promises to be a thrilling three days of equestrian sport, with restaurants bars and trade stalls open throughout the event.

Full show schedule available at http www.emeraldinternational.ie