Stage set for popular Saintfield Horse Show

1 August 2012

THIS year’s Saintfield Horse Show takes place on September 1.

Details of the event, which will be held at the Oughley Road by kind permission of Mr. Jim Prentice, were announced at a recent reception for sponsors and the media at Rowallane Garden hosted by the National Trust.

Guests were welcomed by Show Director Joan Cunningham and they included Dr. Ivan McCabrey, chief executive of Mivan Ltd, the show’s main sponsor.

Also in attendance were representatives of Irish Show Ponies, Show Jumping Ireland, Ladies Side Saddle Association (Ireland) and Richard Lyttle, manager of Downpatrick racecourse which is again sponsoring the race horse to riding horse class.

Organisers are promising that this year’s show will be bigger and better than ever, with show jumping for a number of classes including horses and ponies.

There will also be working hunters, ridden hunters, ladies side saddle, cobs, coloured horses, happy hackers, pony showing in hand showing and lead rein classes.

The show will also feature miniature horses including The Miniature Horse Show Jumping Grand Prix, donkey classes and pet dog classes.

For the first time, there will be an award for the most appropriately dressed lady, while feature events include Saintfield’s Got Talent, held in the Mivan Ardnavalley marquee at 3pm. The competition is open to everyone, with £500 being donated to the winner’s chosen charity. There are also other prizes to be won.

The sponsor of the donkey derby winner will be able to donate £1,000 to their chosen charity, while the owner of the wining donkey will receive a cash prize of £150. Second prize secures £50. For the children, there will be a bouncy castle, quads and much much more.

Show schedules are now available from Saddlers and Feed Merchants or can be downloaded from www.saintfieldhorseshow.webs.com.

Further information is also available by contacting show director Joan Cunningham, telephone (028) 9751 9030 or 07775 860744 or Lillian Graham, 07531 704930. Admission is £2 adults with free entry for children.

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