THE crowds are flocking back to Cheval’s Showgrounds in Jordanstown, North County Dublin, just as they did throughout the 80s. The committee of the popular Riding Club were the first to admit that the grounds near Oldtown had fallen into somewhat of a time warp over the last two decades, as competitors came to expect more of their equestrian venues. With show jumping on grass becoming less popular over the years, the large main grass arena was only seeing activity once or twice a year and the majority of events were being hosted in the old 30mx50m sand arena.

The Cheval committee, led by Chairperson Nuala Stafford and Treasurer Ger Dempsey, set about changing this. With a clear vision in mind, they set about securing a Sports Capital Grant to the value of €118,000 from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. This funding, coupled with countless hours on the turf raising funds through show activity and securing advertising income from local businesses, made the dream a reality. Through this fundraising, Cheval managed to raise in excess of €25,000 to complete what is now a 65mx48m state of the art sand/fibre surface arena.