THE 2023 Showjumping Ireland 1.50m Premier Series gets under way this weekend at Barnadown Showjumping in Wexford but will be held only over four rounds this year following the cancellation of the scheduled second round in Cavan.

Still listed on the SJI website on Friday morning, Cavan was scheduled for May 19th but SJI have now confirmed the round will not take place.

An SJI spokesperson told The Irish Field: “Unfortunately, Cavan have confirmed to the SJI that due to some delays out of their control that they did not feel that their new outdoor surface would be ready and tested in time. Therefore as the Premier Series is an outdoor league with a place on offer to the internationals at the Dublin Horse Show in the main arena at stake, the National Competitions committee considered that it would be unfair to run when the venue owner was not satisfied that the surface would be at its optimum. Unfortunately due to the late notice, it was not possible to substitute another venue and it is not envisaged that this round will run on a later date.”

The cancellation means there is no 1.50m competition from May to July 9th when the next round takes place at National Balmoral. After winning the National Grand Prix at Portmore last weekend, leading Irish international show jumper Dermott Lennon, who spends a lot of the season competing in Europe, said the schedule change has upset his plans (see show jumping report on 100).

Calendar plans

“This has really upset my plan; I didn’t enter an international show because of the Premier Series so it’s a serious blow. You try to make a short-term plan for your horses and then with two weeks to go it’s all pulled apart.

“You have to enter international shows about six weeks before they happen so we can’t get in now. I’ve a few nine-year-olds who are ready to move up so it’s very disappointing. There’s not that much in June as regards anything bigger for the experienced horses so I’ll have to look into what we will do now,” said Lennon.

Prize money

Each of the four rounds at Barnadown (Sunday), National Balmoral (July 9th), Tattersalls (July 19th) and the final in Mullingar (August 5th) will offer €15,000 in prize money. The top two after the third round at Tattersalls will, as usual, be invited to compete in the international classes at the five-star Dublin Horse Show at the RDS.

Speaking ahead of the opening round, Chairman of Showjumping Ireland, Christy Murphy, said: “It is fantastic that the SJI Premier Series will take place in Barnadown this weekend in what will no doubt be a great weekend of show jumping. The SJI Premier Series is a showcase of top national jumping and we are once again expecting our top combinations to contest the league. I would like to wish all competitors the best of luck as they battle it out for the title and a place in the Dublin Horse Show.”

National Competition Chairperson, Marguerite Ryan, added: “This summer league is a very important part of the show jumping calander as it allows Irish based riders and horses to step up to 1.50m. Along with the €15,000 up for grabs in each leg, there are also two places up for the taking to the internationals at the Dublin Horse Show. Last year this league came down to the wire with top combinations battling it out in the final and we are expecting the same top level show jumping again this year.”