The Showjumpers Club are delighted to announce that Connolly’s RED MILLS and Horse Sport Ireland have once again renewed their Sponsorship of the Spring Tour which gets underway at Kildare International Equestrian Centre on February 15th.
This is the second year of the joint Sponsorship between the Kilkenny based Feed company and the National Governing Body.
Over the duration of the 17 legs of Tour, riders will battle out for a total of €42,500 in prize money with additional prize money on offer for the overall winners of the Tour of €2,000 for the 2015 Champion.
Starting on February 15th at Kildare International, the 2015 HSI/Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour will span the length and breadth of the country with rounds in all four provinces leading up towards the final at Coilog Equestrian Centre in Kildare on April 19th.
For last three years, one rider has dominated the HSI/Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour and that was Daniel Coyle who, together with Linzi Johnston’s Uptown Girl, proved virtually unbeatable and cruised to three Tour wins in succession. However, this year Coyle has left the door open for a new Champion to be crowned as he will be on International duty and will be forced to miss several legs.
In a further new initiative The Showjumpers Club are delighted to announce that there will be an additional Pro-Am section in this year’s Spring Tour which allow the non-professional Rider’s the opportunity to compete in a league of their own. Riders who opt for the Pro-Am section will be eligible for Prize Money on the day but will also be eligible for prizes as part of the Pro-Am section at each leg of the Tour.
Chairman of the Showjumpers Club Ronan Corrigan commented; ‘’I am really looking forward to this year’s HSI/Connolly’s RED MILLS Spring Tour. It is sure to be another exciting league, as it is every year. It proves the strength of the Tour with sponsors like Connolly’s RED MILLS who are very much a global brand along with Horse Sport Ireland offering support and sponsorship.
‘’It’s a pity that Daniel Coyle won’t be with us to defend his crown that he has held so tightly for the last three years but this leaves room for a new Champion and I am very excited at the prospects of following such a competitive renewal of the Spring Tour.’’
On behalf of the sponsors Gareth Connolly – Sale & Marketing Director Connolly’s RED MILLS, commented “We are looking forward to the 2015 Spring Tour. This is the beginning of our season and a big part of our commitment to the sport of show jumping. It is great to be involved with a league that provides young riders the opportunity to compete with such a high level of competition, and to help in facilitating a competition of this level in Ireland. We have offered our nutritional support to all competitors the past few years and hope to have the same level of involvement with the riders and their horses this year. The best of luck to everyone involved.”
Prof Pat Wall Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland also commented ; ‘Fair play to Red Mills for sponsoring the competition which is a great opportunity to showcase both human and equine talent and hopefully we will see some new equine stars emerging this year”.
The HSI/Connollys Red Mills Spring Tour is also sponsored by The Showjumpers Club and supported by Castlefield Sport Horses, Ashford Farm (Belgium) ShowjumpingIreland.
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