LAUNCHING the 2018 Iverk Show at Kildalton College, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, on Monday, chairman Robert Dowley thanked loyal sponsors for their continued support.

Without the goodwill of the local landowners, Dowley said Ireland’s oldest agricultural show, which will take place on Saturday, August 25th, simply could not be held.

President Joe Malone said that horse competitions have always been a major part of the show. One hundred years ago, there were four jumping competitions and this year that has grown to 22, ranging from the Nissan Grand Prix to the tiny tots and newcomers/ stars of the future.

Iverk Show welcomes two new competition finals to the horse section this year – the All Ireland Thoroughbred Horse Working Hunter final and the Kerry Bog Pony broodmare final.

The 2018 Thoroughbred final, which carries a prize fund of €3,000, is sponsored by Horserail.

The second new final is the Kerry Bog Pony Society’s mare championship while the all-Ireland Broodmare and Foal Championship has a new sponsor in Ulster Bank.

Full details can be found on www.iverkshow.ie.