MULLINGAR Equestrian Horse Sales and Youngster Tour Ireland have announced they are collaborating to offer the ‘Future Stars Select Online Auction’ on Friday, April 8th next.

The aim of the sale is to meet the demand from pro-am and professional riders at home and abroad for horses that have been carefully produced through the Youngster Tour, or will be suitable for the 2022 tour, and will be capable of rising through the levels in show jumping and/or eventing.

The auction is open to four- to eight-year-olds and over with DAFM approved passports. Nominated horses for this select auction will be viewed initially by members of the selection panel at a number of SJI Winter Tour and Spring League events in February and March, with the final selection and video day at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Tuesday, March 22nd.

The catalogue will go online on March 26th and the sale will be marketed nationally and internationally. The online auction will take place at a gala evening in the new International Pavillion at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on Friday, April 8th, the weekend of the Winter Tour Finals and Balmoral qualifiers. The selected horses will be live-streamed earlier in the day over a course of fences in Mullingar’s International Sand Arena.

Owners interested in having their horses considered for selection should fill the entry form on the Mullingar Equestrian Irish Sport Horse Auctions’ website. There is no charge for this first stage of the selection process. Full details on irishsporthorseauctions.com

Oonagh Kennedy of Youngster Tour Ireland commented: “The Youngster Tour Ireland was launched in 2020 to help with the production and marketing of young Irish-bred horses. The concept has been very successful over the last two seasons with record numbers of youngsters competing, over the 20 show series, to qualify for the Grand Finals at Mullingar EC each September.

“The Tour has encouraged inclusivity, with many new riders, as well as professionals, involved in young horse production as they see it as an attainable goal, with well-built courses in Main Arena settings. The Youngster Tour and Grand Finals have been a showcase for our Irish-bred horses, our owners, our yard and our riders. We are delighted that the Youngster Tour has created a new marketing tool for our smaller yards, with many horses finding new homes, at home and abroad, from the tour.”

Kennedy added: “The ‘Future Stars Select Online Auction’ run by Mullingar Horse Sales, in conjunction with the Tour, will showcase a selection of horses that will be suitable for the Tour Classes in 2022 and beyond. They will be selected by the selection panel, taking into consideration their production and looking for genuine jumpers that have the talent, temperament, rideability and suitability for the sport to easily go up the levels in the coming years.”