A New Era Dawns at Emerald International Equestrian Centre
A new era in Irish Equestrian Sport begins this week, as Emerald International Equestrian Centre in Co Kildare plays host to the much anticipated “Irish Masters Show” from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th of November, at the extensively refurbished facility which has received an incredible reaction from those who have visited the complex in recent weeks.Ireland’s biggest indoor jumping arena, which features seating for 3,000 people, Emerald has in recent days seen the installation of a state of the art sound and lighting system, as the final pieces of the jigsaw puzzle come together before the action kicks off this Friday.
Top riders from Ireland and around the globe have given Emerald’s new jumping surface an overwhelming seal of approval, including World No.1 Scott Brash who visited the Kildare venue in recent weeks,
““This is a world class facility with some of the best arena surfaces I have seen anywhere in the world” commented the 28 year-old Scottish rider afterwards.
Whitaker Family Make Trip From UK
The Irish Masters begins on Friday (November 14th) with a 1.30m Grand Prix warm-up and a Masterclass demonstration by leading Event riders Sarah Ennis, Nicola Ennis and Katie O Sullivan. Friday’s evening performance at 8pm will be the €6,000 Equestrian Surfaces Ireland Invitational Championship Grand Prix. Over 30 of Ireland’s top riders will be in action along with a number of visiting riders from the UK including some members of the famous Whitaker family.
Saturday mornings programme at Emerald includes the €3,000 CT PR & Event Management 5 year old final, followed by an Accumulator class and a stallion production Masterclass by Tholm Keane and Derek McConnell.
Saturday afternoon will see plenty of thrills and spills in the Majestic Cavalier Relay Class, while the evening performance will see leading riders Greg Broderick and Ger O Neill, host a Masterclass on producing a young horse. Saturday night’s main event will be the €5,000 Emerald International Masters qualifier which will immediately be followed by the crowd pleasing Puissance competition over the big red wall.
World Champion Masterclass
Another incredible day for equestrian fans follows on Sunday, with the €3,000 Bourns Sport Horse 6 year-old final followed by the 7 year-old final which also boasts a €3,000 prize fund. A fancy dress speed class and a repeat of the Greg Broderick and Ger O Neill Masterclass, will be followed by the Jim Derwin young rider final, while former World Champion Dermott Lennon will host a Masterclass later on Sunday evening, just before the show main event, as riders battle for a huge €15,000 in the Emerald International 1.50m Grand Prix.
The leading rider and young rider of the show will then be crowned before the curtain closes on what promises to be a thrilling three days of equestrian sport, with restaurants bars and trade stalls open throughout the event.
Daily adult tickets for the Irish Masters at Emerald cost €20, Children €15 (under 3 years free), while a family day pass for 2 adults and 2 children (or 1 adult and 3 children) costs €50
Adult 3-day tickets are priced at €50, children’s 3 day tickets cost €40 and family 3 day tickets cost €130
Parking is free with a limited number of tickets available at Emerald during the event, but to guarantee your place at what promises to be three days of memorable equestrian action, book your tickets online at www.ticketmaster.ie
For more details and to view the full schedule see www.emeraldinternational.ie
Category: News, Results, Show Jumping
