BOLESWORTH/MULLINGAR £10,000 BONUS

Tuesday 19 April 2011

 

BOLESWORTH/MULLINGAR £10,000 BONUS
 
 
The Bolesworth Showjumping Classic and Country Fair has teamed up with the Mullingar International event in Ireland to form a unique partnership aimed at taking the sport to a new audience.
 
Both shows take place in June. The Bolesworth Showjumping Classic and Country Fair, at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall, Cheshire runs from Thursday, June 9 to Sunday, June 11. The two-star Mullingar International Horse Show and Country Fair, an hour out of Dublin in County Westmeath, runs from June 3 -6.
 
The shows have identical aims, which are to attract the best riders in the world and offer all-round family fun for people who may not normally watch the sport.
 
Bolesworth is now recognised as one of the UK’s most innovative and entertaining equestrian events. Alongside the world-class sporting action, there is a full entertainment programme, which includes X Factor star, Ruth Lorenzo performing at Bolesworth’s Big Night Out on Saturday, June 11, celebrity chef Brian Mellor, TV hairdresser, Tommy van der Veken, Hall’s Antiques Roadshow and the equestrian display team, Jive Pony.
 
This year, Bolesworth features more than 40 classes, including the Showjumping Grand Prix, the first qualifier for the Express Eventing series and a total prize fund of £70,000. 
 
Nina Barbour, the show director, said: “This is the best programme of sport and entertainment we’ve ever had at Bolesworth. We always aim to offer the very best for our riders and visitors. I’m especially pleased that we’ve been able to secure the twinning arrangement with Mullingar. It’s a similar show to ours and by helping to promote each other, we hope to increase the number of Irish and British riders crossing the Irish Sea to compete.”
 
Mullingar is the only international equestrian show in Ireland outside the Dublin Horse Show. It boasts 20 years of experience but this will be only its fourth year as an international and the prize fund now totals £50,000. British riders have already enjoyed success at the show, with Vicky Tulloch winning the grand prix in 2010 and Scott Brash in 2009. 
 
Robert Fagan, the show director, said: “I don’t think two shows have teamed up like this before and Bolesworth and Mullingar will compliment each other. Like Bolesworth, ours is a growing show and we want to attract more overseas riders to both events. The dates mean that riders can do both shows.”
 
As a result of this, riders will enjoy special deals to compete at Bolesworth and Mullingar and a £10,000 bonus will be awarded should a horse/rider combination win the Grand Prix at both events. In addition the leading horse and rider combination in the 1.30m and 1.40m series of both shows will win a fabulous holiday for two in Barbados, including flights provided by www.paradiserentalsbarbados.com
 
 
Fagan added: “Nina and I are both enthusiastic about the possibilities. Of course, when you try something new, there are always obstacles but we’ll get over them and it’s exciting to consider all the benefits for both shows.”
 
Badminton and Burghley winner, Oliver Townend and showjumper, Anthony Condon will compete at the Bolesworth Showjumping Classic and Country Fair.
 
Speaking at the launch of this year’s event, Townend said: “The link between Bolesworth and Mullingar is really exciting. They’re both excellent shows and the hope is that, together, they can attract more and more of the best international riders and introduce our sport to a wider audience.
 
“I’ve enjoyed the best start I’ve ever had to my season this year and I’m looking forward to the summer and the Bolesworth Show. We’ve had a really good winter at the yard, where we’ve been concentrating on regrouping after what was a challenging 2010.”
 
Townend, the winner of the first Express Eventing title in 2008, returns to the event this year.
He added: “I’ve been schooling some of my young horses with Bolesworth as the target and I’ll be looking to make a serious attempt to regain my Express Eventing title.”
 
Irishman Condon, 24, the winner of last year’s Tri-Zone Senior Newcomers Championship at the Horse of the Year Show, said: “It’s a great idea for Bolesworth and Mullingar to twin their events. To see this kind of international cooperation in our sport is encouraging for young riders like myself.”
 
Condon, who won individual and team bronze medals at the European Pony Championships, added: “I’m still learning and I hope to be able to have more wins at international competitions.
 
“Who knows, one day I could compete for my country at the Olympics. I’ve still got time. You can learn a lot by competing at Bolesworth. There’s a relaxed atmosphere and you can chat to the more experienced riders like Oliver Townend and Nick Skelton.”
 
Tickets for the Bolesworth Showjumping Classic and Country Fair are available from www.bolesworthclassic.co.uk
 
Further details of the Mullingar International and Country Fair are at www.mullingarequestrian.com
 
Ends…
 
 
For more information about The Bolesworth Showjumping Classic and Country Fair, please contact:
 
Sybil or Tom at Sybil Ruscoe Media
07767 777787
01451 870238

 
Recent Wales News
The Greenhill High Flyers are runners up at the Pembrokeshire Sports Awards 2022 The Greenhill High Flyers are runners up at the Pembrokeshire Sports Awards 2022
28/11/2022
Entries open for Usk show - 10 September Entries open for Usk show - 10 September
25/08/2022
Adverse Weather Conditions - Show Updates Adverse Weather Conditions - Show Updates
16/02/2022
Tack Thefts at British Showjumping Shows Tack Thefts at British Showjumping Shows
12/02/2022
Jan 2022 -  The Jump North Tour:  Four Tournaments – Two Venues Jan 2022 - The Jump North Tour: Four Tournaments – Two Venues
02/01/2022