THERE will be major prize fund increases in the show hunter classes at this year’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Dublin Horse Show (July 15th – 19th) with the five-star fixture moving from its traditional August dates to avoid clashing with the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The show hunter classes will see a 53% increase in prize funds across the three weight categories, bringing the total prize fund to an unprecedented €49,000.

The show hunter classes, and the tradition and spectacle surrounding them, are an annual focus point of Dublin Horse Show and the RDS is determined to maintain and develop this sector of equestrianism for future generations.

These ridden classes, which are open to Irish-bred horses only, offer breeders, producers and riders a unique platform to produce, showcase and market their quality horses.

The weight classes should be of particular interest to young horse producers, who can utilise them as a training and production medium, without putting undue performance pressure on their horses in their formative years. The increase in prize fund will extend across the age groups and the classes are open to riders of all disciplines, not just show horse producers.

The RDS is committed to further develop the ridden flat classes and will consult widely after this year’s Dublin Horse Show to further develop this sector.

Breeders’ Championship changes

Meanwhile, significant changes have been made to the Breeders’ Championship format this year. Traditionally held on the Friday of Dublin Horse Show Week, the championship, first held in 1985, was the brainchild of the late Thady Ryan, writes Susan Finnerty.

The change of date of Dublin Horse Show this year has also had a knock-on effect with new qualifier venues and earlier dates.

Four, instead of the usual six, Breeders Championship qualifiers will take place this year; Newmarket-on-Fergus (Sunday, May 3rd), Athenry and Midleton (both on Sunday, May 24th) and Lurgan (Saturday, June 6th).

Five mare and foal combinations from each qualifier are eligible to enter the Dublin final and in another move, exhibitors can now qualify a maximum of two mare and foal combinations.

The criteria has also changed for the final which is now split into two sections: show jumping (Class 49) and eventing (Class 50). According to the Dublin Horse Show website, qualified exhibitors will then nominate which class at Dublin “best suits their mare and foal”.

Foals with less than 60% thoroughbred blood are not eligible for Class 50 and exhibitors are advised to use the Hypothetical Mating function on the IHR online database (www.breeding.horsesportireland.ie) as a guideline to determine their foal’s eligibility.

Each of the two sections offers a prize fund of €11,200, ranging from €3,000 for the winning mare and foal combination, to €500 for non-placed finalists.

The Lynn Aldridge Trophy will now be presented to the winner of the show jumping section, while a new trophy will be awarded to the winning owner in the eventing category.

See next week’s follow-up feature on the Breeders’ Championship format changes.