SJI Arena Training begins for under age riders

RIDERS under the age of 18 will return to training competition this weekend, however senior riders are still prohibited under Level 5 restrictions are lifted, The Irish Field has learned.

A notice circulated to Showjumping Ireland members this week said SJI Arena Training will start this weekend with the objective “to improve youth athletes U18 equitation and jumping ring craft under structured controlled conditions. Supervised by a coach accredited to the NGBs.”

As per government guidelines, children of school-going age (18 and under) only are allowed to attend. All entries will run through the SJI Live system and it will be run in pods of maximum 15 and SJI points will be allocated on successful completion of training (after final).

There will be a total of five training days and a bursary will be given at the final training. Riders must attend two training events to be eligible for the bursary. Records of arena training will be kept on SJI Live for Bar 1, 2, 3 and 4 exam assessments as needed for RDS qualification.

A coach must be in attendance and records must be kept of arena training participation. The first training event takes place today (Saturday) at Coilóg Equestrian in Co Kildare, followed by tomorrow at Tipperary Equestrian Centre.