EMERALD International Equestrian Centre announced themselves as a new force on the Irish equestrian circuit by unveiling plans for their first show with a prize fund of over €50,000. The November ‘Irish Masters End of Year’’ competition will run at the Enfield, Co Meath, centre from Friday, November 14th to Sunday, November 16th.
In all, the three-day show will offer a total prize fund of €52,800. The centre, owned by Newbridge native James Buckley who is also its managing director, is throwing its doors open to the Irish equestrian world and general public alike with the show, which includes a series of demonstrations from some of Ireland’s best known equestrians and a shopping village.
Demonstrations will be given by Irish senior international event rider Sarah Ennis and Irish National Champion show jumper Greg Broderick; well known show jumpers Tholm Keane and Ger O’Neill as well as American-based coach former Irish show jumper Derek McConnell.
Tom Holden is designing the tracks and the competitions will be judged by senior national FEI qualified judges – Pippa McDonald Clinch, Maureen Bagnall and Ann McDonald Clinch.
The professional indoor surface at Emerald International (formerly Jessbrook) is white silica sand with pro fibre. Along with a 6,950 sq. metre indoor arena with over 3,000 seats on three levels, facilities include a 100m x 40m outdoor arena with newly-fitted restaurants and bars on site.
“All guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy the international equestrian shopping village and Emerald International will also provide live streaming of the entire show,’’ said show director Pippa McDonald Clinch.
Leading up to the event, there will be two qualifiers held on Wednesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 29th at 9am. These are to qualify the five/six/seven-year-old horses for the November finals. The highlights of the November show include the Emerald International Championship Grand Prix 1.40m (Friday, November 14th); the €6,000 Emerald International Irish Masters Qualifier (Saturday, November 15th) and the €15,000 Emerald International Irish Masters Grand Prix 1.50m (Sunday, November 16th).
Entries close on Thursday, November 6th at 4pm for all classes and entries can be emailed to office@emeraldinternational.ie
The November show is a ticket-only event and tickets can be purchased from www.emeraldinternational.ie through the on-site office or by calling 045 863520.
The members of the Emerald International committee are listed as Tom Holden, Ronan Corrigan, Greg Broderick, Gerard O’Neill, Tholm Keane and Francis Connors.
Demonstrations
Sarah Ennis: Friday, November 14th at 6pm
Derek McConnell: Saturday, November 15th at 12.30pm
Tholm Keane: Saturday, November 15th at 12.30pm
Ger O’Neill: Saturday, November 15th at 6pm
Greg Broderick: Saturday, November 15th at 6pm