Olympic showjumpers to take part in Kilkenny event this July

The Ireland Paris bound Olympics Showjumping team of Daniel Coyle, Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam and Bertram Allen are just some of the stars attending a fundraiser for the Jack de Bromhead National Equine Centre on Monday evening, July 8 in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. 

The €25 ticket includes a drinks reception sponsored by Connolly’s Red Mills at 7.30pm, followed by the main event at 8.30pm.

Currently ranked as the FEI’s Number 1 Showjumping Nation, Ireland will be favourites to win Gold in Paris. The organisers of the event are Sharon Fitzpatrick and Liz Brennan the duo behind the HHS Show and Irish Breeders Classic.

Liz said: “This promises to be a fantastic night for anyone with an interest in horses. Cheltenham previews have proved very popular in recent years and this night is an Olympics Preview of Ireland’s Dressage competitor, Eventers and Showjumpers’ medal prospects”

The Ireland Team Manager Michael Blake commented: “We are delighted to be able to support this event in the Newpark Hotel Kilkenny in aid of the Jack de Bromhead Equine Centre, supported by Connolly’s Red Mills. I can assure everyone the team are really looking forward to it. This is the only event all the team can do together so, make sure you get your tickets.”

Also on stage will be the current Irish and English Jump Racing Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, Grand National and Gold Cup winning trainer Henry de Bromhead and arriving appropriately late will be ‘The Queen of Racing’ Rachael Blackmore after she finishes up at Roscommon races.  

Experts like Olympic Course designer Alan Wade will be there to talk about the challenges that face the riders in Paris and Charlotte Smett and Diarmuid Byrne of Equiratings and the popular “jumping podcast” will reveal the stats and data that makes Ireland a serious contender in the equestrian sports in Paris.

MC for the night is Gavin Duffy formerly of  Dragons Den, and currently Chairperson of Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Showjumping Committee. Tickets are on sale via Eventbrite.