SHOWJUMPING Ireland announced this week that The Underwriting Exchange has come on board to support its National Grand Prix for 2019.

The league, which runs alongside the New Heights Champions Series, will also commence at The Meadows Equestrian and will extend over 20 legs finishing up on August 30th at the Irish Breeders Classic.

With a minimum prize fund of €4,000 at each leg and leading prizes of €7,000, it is a lucrative league for riders competing at the 1.40m height category.

The previous two years saw Tipperary’s Liam O’Meara run away with the lead early on in the league. In 2018, O’Meara took home the overall winner, runner-up and leading owner prizes from the series.

The Junior & Young Rider Committee of Showjumping Ireland has also committed to supporting the Young Riders who take part in this league with a €100 One4All voucher going to the highest-placed Young Rider at each round.

Other venues that will host a leg of this series are Portmore Equestrian, Barnadown Equestrian, Cavan Equestrian, Ballinasloe Show, Ballivor Show, Galway County Show, Cóilog Equestrian, the Flavours of Fingal, Charleville Show, Omagh Show, Clonmel Show, Bannow & Rathangan Show, Cork Summer Show, National Balmoral Show, Tattersalls Show, Maryville Stables, Mullingar Equestrian and Galway Equestrian.

World Equestrian Games silver medallist Cathal Daniels, who will compete at this level this season, was very enthusiastic about the partnership and the support of the Underwriting Exchange saying: “I am delighted that The Underwriting Exchange has decided to support the national circuit of show jumping as well as their commitment to Team Ireland. The National Grand Prix is a great series and I am looking forward to following the league this year.”

BRILLIANT LEAGUE

SJI chair Michael Blake commented: “This is a brilliant league to be part of and with 20 legs; it leaves it quite open for people to follow and also build points around the country.

“It is great to see so many promising Young Riders coming up through the ranks to this level in Ireland and from their step up for international duty.

“I am delighted to welcome the Underwriting Exchange on board this year on our national circuit and I have no doubt they will be highly impressed with the competition. I would like to thank them very much for their continued support of Irish showjumping.”

The Underwriting Exchange is one of Lloyd’s of London’s leading and fastest growing Lloyd’s Brokers, who specialise in niche insurance and reinsurance solutions in the UK, Ireland and internationally.

Stephen O’Connor, executive director of The Underwriting Exchange, said of the new partnership: ‘‘We are delighted to be sponsoring the national league as without doubt it is a stepping stone to the next level and has been a great spring board for young riders, and there is no doubt there is a correlation with a strong grass-roots structure with all the success at junior level and indeed internationally.”

A full list of venues, dates and criteria for all leagues is available on www.sji.ie