RIVER Lodge Equestrian intends to host their postponed Avonmore Summer Classic €30,000 Grand Finale on Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th.

Michelle Kenny and Rafael Sanctuary of River Lodge Equestrian are hoping the SJI will authorise the weekend dates after atrocious weather forced an earlier postponement for the finals. To date, a midweek date is being suggested by SJI.

Overall, the prize fund, including the well attended qualifiers amounted to €35,000 and a further €30,000 has been invested by River Lodge Equestrian in online services and infrastructure hired, including the marquess.

“We still want to deliver the spectacle that everyone is so much looking forward to and truly believe the finale deserves a weekend so everyone can enjoy it. It’s been a difficult enough year and we hope to give people something to look forward to,” said the couple.

After an emergency meeting with HSI last Monday, River Lodge Equestrian agreed to offer a compromise and are willing to run on Friday, September 18th and Saturday, September 19th instead.

“If SJI Leinster Region Committee do not authorise this show to be run as an affiliated event, we will have to run unaffiliated.

“We are very proud to be affiliated to our governing body and do hope this can be worked out so riders can obtain their SJI points. We apologise if this has annoyed/inconvenienced anyone. We are as disappointed as anyone because we have worked very hard to deliver a show people can enjoy.

“With an enormous level of entries and stable bookings already in, we are looking forward to a successful show with great sport for all. We appreciate your support in the current times we are all in and hope you can understand our reasoning for holding out for a weekend,” added Kenny and Sanctuary.