THE 2023 Mervue Equine Leinster Tours were launched at McKee Barracks this week and will kick-off next Saturday, May 6th at Barnadown Showjumping in Co Wexford.

The tour, which has a 1.10m, 1.20m and a 1.35m, will take place over 13 rounds and the final will take place as a standalone show at Warrington Equestrian in Kilkenny.

The tour, sponsored by Mervue Equine, boasts a total prize fund in excess of €50,000. The winning young rider combination will win the Ballywalter Farm Bursary with international showjumper Bertram Allen. The overall league winners in all divisions, as well as the leading young rider and pro-am in the 1.35m league, will win the Karlswood Equine Experience. This prize is an afternoon with Cian O’Connor to watch him coach his students followed by a questions and answers session, lunch and a tour of Karlswood Stables.

Speaking at the launch of the 2023 league, Mervue Equine marketing manager, Rebecca O’Driscoll, said: “We are delighted to be launching the Mervue Equine Leinster summer tour at the magnificent McKee Barracks. Our sponsorship of this series has been one of the highlights for Mervue Equine over the past eight years as it gives us a great opportunity to showcase our nutritional products which are all researched, developed and manufactured in our state-of-the-art facility in Cork. On behalf of the Mervue Equine team, I would like to extend our very best wishes to all competitors and connections for the 2023 tour.’’

Lt Col Tom Freyne said: “The Mervue Equine Leinster Tour is a great initiative and last year it was very competitive right down to the last leg. The tour is in excellent venues and the course designing is always excellent. We were delighted that Lt James Whyte and Carrigoran were crowned 1.35m winners last year and our plan is to compete in the tour again. I would like to thank Mervue for their continued sponsorship.”

Taylor Vard from the Leinster region of Showjumping Ireland added: “We are delighted to once again join forces with Mervue Equine for the Leinster tour. No doubt it will be another competitive tour and we are excited for the first leg that will take place in Barnadown. I would like to thank Mervue for their sponsorship and to the Army Equitation School for hosting the launch of the tour.”