HORSE Sport Ireland yesterday announced that the Underwriting Exchange Limited has signed up as the title sponsor of the entire Jumping In The City series, as well as sponsoring the Grand Prix classes at three legs of the series.

The first leg of the series takes place in Limerick Greyhound Stadia on Friday, June 5th, moving to moves to Cork Greyhound stadia in Friday, June 12th with the final leg in Shelbourne Park on Friday June 26th.

The Underwriting Exchange Limited is a Lloyds insurance broker with offices in London and Dublin, with a strong and long history in the Irish market.

Managing director Adrian Butler said: “From our perspective it helps create brand awareness with our existing clients. In addition we have a growing amount of clients in the equestrian and agriculture /farm sector.

“It will also be a wonderful opportunity to have a fun night out and invite our supporting brokers and service providers to come along for a great evening entertainment. It’s a wonderful new concept in bringing the sport to a wider audience. We are delighted to be associated with charity partner of the series, Special Olympics Ireland, and we are looking forward to three exciting evenings ahead!”

SUCCESS

Horse Sport Ireland CEO Damian McDonald said: “Underwriting Exchange Limited is a respected brand in the insurance sector and they are as passionate as we are about making the series a success in what is it first year.” he said.

Each Grand Prix, which is limited to 16 riders, will see a prize fund of €12,000 in Limerick, €12,000 Cork and €15,000 at the final leg in Shelbourne Park.

If entries for Limerick and Cork exceed the 16 allocated spots, places will be allocated based on FEI rankings, SJI rankings and places allocated by Irish team manager Robert Splaine and the organising committee plus a place for a young rider.

As part of the ongoing preparation for the event, this week saw a horse and rider combination – Paul Beecher and Loughnatusa Eric, jump fences in the greyhound stadium in Curraheen Park in Cork for the first time.

Entries must be made for Cork and Limerick legs of the series must be made by next Tuesday, May 19th with James Maher in Showjumping Ireland.