THE final and remaining legs of the popular show jumping Five Stars Tour has been cancelled due to a date clash with the Irish Breeders’ Classic on the first weekend in September.

The Five Stars Tour organiser, Oonagh Kennedy, announced the news with a statement on social media on Tuesday. The grand final of the league was due to take place on September 2nd to 4th at Mullingar Equestrian, which now clashes with the Irish Breeders’ Classic, taking place in Barnadown on September 1st to 4th.

Showjumping Ireland released a statement, explaining that the IBC date change (from August 25th-28th) was ratified due to horse welfare concerns with Millstreet Horse Show and the Dublin Horse Show taking place the previous two weeks. “The concern raised by many riders, owners, producers, and sponsors to the organising committee of the Irish Breeders Classic was that it was felt this amount of competition without any rest week would be damaging to all the shows and indeed to the animals and staff working with the young horses,” said the statement.

“Showjumping Ireland, having taken into consideration these concerns, moved to address these and on foot of the IBC submission, this action then caused concern to the organiser of the Five Stars Tour and Final who corresponded with SJI with these concerns. Both submissions were fully and thoroughly considered and a meeting between all parties was facilitated by SJI.

“These concerns as noted were both on welfare grounds primarily from IBC and related to the financial viability of the Five Stars Tour Final. To remedy these concerns from the outset SJI felt that the IBC date change could address the welfare concerns as outlined. To address the financial impact as outlined in detail as part of the Five Stars Tour correspondence, SJI again reaffirmed its commitment of €5,000 to the 2022 final, support as it had also provided of €8,000 in 2021.

“This commitment is still in place and SJI hope to secure all funding intended for the finals is provided and that any additional funding required can be requested from SJI Resources.”

Investment

In a statement announcing the tour cancellation, Oonagh Kennedy said: “As you all know I have invested so much of myself into the Tours and this decision was not taken lightly. I apologise to all our loyal followers but I stand on my principles.”

In a letter to tour centres, also included in the social media statement, she added: “Unfortunately my request to reverse the decision to move off of the Five Stars Tour Final dates by the IBC was denied, by the SJI and the IBC. There was no real discussion of moving the IBC back to their original dates.

“I stand alone on my good name and my principles, they are all I have. The implications of this clash are too great to run against such a prestigious show, so it is with the utmost regret that I now cancel the Five Stars Tour as of this morning. All qualifying shows remaining and the Grand Finals are cancelled.”