THE first of the new The Underwriting Exchange Limited Jumping In The City series, which will be held in three venues during June, drew a capacity crowd to Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday..
Spectators watched show jumping in three different competitions, starting with the West Wood Ifor Williams Amateur Speed Class, which was won by Aileen McDermott from Co Westmeath riding the Irish Sport Horse Kilcor Amber.
Dean Rogan from Co Sligo with Falco Van Spieveld was triumphant in the next competition, The Underwriting Exchange Limited Grand Prix, while the much-anticipated Devenish Puissance saw Liam O’Meara and Cisero the only competitor to clear the wall at its final height of two metres.
The series moves on to Cork next Friday (June 12th), where Olympic Bronze medallist Cian O’Connor and Cork’s own Billy Twomey have been confirmed as entries. Twomey will ride his 17-year-old mare Tinka’s Serenade, with whom he competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games. It is believed that Twomey also intends to tackle the Puissance on the night.
O’Connor will ride Quidam’s Cherie, the 10-year-old mare on whom he has jumped several Nations’ Cups for Ireland. Also joining the start list will be Tipperary’s Greg Broderick, fresh from his Nations’ Cup double clear at St Gallen. They will join former world champion Dermott Lennon and the Irish Sport Horse Loughview Lou Lou in the star-studded line-up.
The Underwriting Exchange Limited “Jumping In The City” was launched by Minister Simon Coveney recently and will see top level show jumping horses compete in the in-field of Greyhound Stadia for the very first time, in a collaboration between Horse Sport Ireland, Showjumping Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board.
An action packed evening of entertainment also includes a performance by top percussion group Extreme Rhythm, who in the past have performed on X-Factor alongside pop super-star Kelly Clarkson.
While reserved table bookings for the event are completely sold out, general admission tickets for The Underwriting Exchange Jumping In The City at Cork Greyhound Stadium can be purchased in advance by phoning 1890 269 969 and will also be available at the gate.
Tickets cost €15 for adults, children under 14 are free and a Student and OAP rate of €10 will apply.
The final of The Underwriting Exchange Limited Jumping In The City series is due to take place at Shelbourne Park stadium in Dublin on June 26th.
