BERNEY Bros, official leather supplier to Team Ireland Equestrian, this week launched a new Grand Prix saddle range at its store in Kilcullen, Co Kildare.

Developed over a number of years, the new range incorporates traditional quality and durability with modern features and functionality and includes the Grand Prix Dressage saddle, the Grand Prix International saddle and the Grand Prix Olympic saddle.

Berney Bros was founded in 1880 by Peter Berney and has passed down five generations of the Berney family, now being led by Thomas Berney Junior. Master craftsmen of their trade, Berney Bros will continue their sponsorship of Team Ireland Equestrian into 2015 and visitors to the launch of the new saddle range on Wednesday evening included many of the country’s top riders.

Melanie Young, Cathal Daniels, Nessa Briody and Helen Kearney were joined by young rider eventing team manager Sally Corscadden who was one of the eventing managers in attendance.

Speaking at the launch, Joseph Murphy, Eventing Ireland’s leading rider of 2013, said: “The new range of Berney saddles provides comfort and durability that will stand up to the hectic life of an event yard. I am delighted I choose Berney.”

Tom Berney senior opened the evening by telling the story of the family business, while Thomas Berney junior introduced the new range of saddles.

“This new range of saddles is the most exciting revolution that has happened in Irish saddlery in the last 25 years, and we don’t intend on stopping here,” he said, adding that hoped their association with Team Ireland would be a long one.

Horse Sport Ireland chief executive Damian McDonald took to the stage to speak about the partnership, saying that his dream for Team Ireland Equestrian was to have an Irish rider in an Irish saddle on an Irish horse win at the Olympics.