National championships return to the Showgrounds

THE National Showjumping Championship will once again be held at the Ennis Showgrounds, it has been confirmed. The three-day prestigious competition, held for the first time at the Showgrounds last year, will return to the venue on September 7, 8 and 9.

 

According to the County Clare Agricultural Show Society chairman Bernard Hanrahan, “We are delighted to welcome the National Showjumping Championship to the Showgrounds yet again following the major success of last year. We are looking forward to a great three days of jumping. Because the championships are over a weekend this year, it will prove very enticing to visitors.”

Mr Hanrahan commented that as well as being a first class event for competitors and fans of showjumping, the event is set to bring a financial benefit to both Ennis and the county.

“We will have riders coming from all over Ireland and some from England for the championships as well as spectators. They will be coming here for the three days and staying in our hotels and b&bs. They will be buying food here, the local shops will do quite well out of this. And of course some may even take the opportunity to visit the local sights,” he said.

He acknowledged, “Showjumping might not be considered to be a big spectator sport, but we had quite a few people in the audience here for the finals last year and we expect that to be the case again this year.”

Mr Hanrahan said organisers of the championship were very impressed with the condition of the grounds at last year’s event. He is sure this will be the case once again.

“We are very pleased with the way the grounds are at the moment and we are sure to be in tip-top shape for the national final. At the weekend we were one of the few places that didn’t have to cancel shows because of the weather. Their grounds were not suitable but ours is sand based and is geared for these conditions.”

The hosting of the All-Ireland championship is a major event for the Showgrounds which, in recent years, has seen an investment of more than €200,000 for the development of an all weather jumping arena.

While the All-Ireland championship is firmly on the horizon for the Showgrounds, the Clare Show Society are also concentrating on plans for the annual County Clare Show. It will take place on July 29 with organisers promising something for all the family to enjoy.