Those in attendance were incredibly impressed with the extensively refurbished centre, which boasts Ireland’s largest indoor jumping arena with seating for 3,000 people and uses the new top of the range cushion track elite surface which uses very fine white silica sand supplied by Equestrian Surfaces Ireland.
This is the first time this surface has been used in Ireland and prides itself on its consistency. Emerald International has two indoor and three outdoor arenas all with the same premium quality surface.
Speaking after the test event, leading rider Edward Doyle gave his initial views on Emerald International saying, “This is a fantastic new facility, a beautiful ring, really bright and really good ground, it has the potential to hold any show jumping event. The surface is perfect, it rides really good. The owners have done a fantastic job and it is close to home for us which is really good”.
Edward’s brother Jack Doyle, who has jumped at top venues all over the world, was also full of praise for the Kildare venue saying. “This place is fabulous, excellent, a huge arena with a great surface and is in an excellent location, very central”.
Former national champion Paddy O Donnell made the trip up the M9 motorway from Waterford and seemed incredibly impressed commenting, “You can’t help but be blown away from the minute you walk in here, it’s like a breath of fresh air. We have some great facilities already in Ireland but anyone can see that Emerald will bring on the sport here even further. The horses I schooled around jumped phenomenal, the surface gives you a great feeling. Let’s hope there will be many days of great jumping here”.
Meath based Alexander Butler was another to share his thoughts on Emerald International and said, “After I jumped some of my younger horses here I was very interested to jump one of my older horses over a bigger course of fences and I have to say the surface was just perfect, top class and when spectators come along there will be a fantastic atmosphere here at Emerald”.
Meanwhile in an exciting new development for Irish equestrian sports, Emerald has confirmed dates for three International jumping shows planned for 2015.
Emerald 2 Star International will run from March 24th to 29th 2015 while a 3 Star International show will take place from June 2nd to 7th 2015 to include a world ranking class. The Co Kildare venue will also run a second 2 Star International from November 10th to 15th 2015.
Preparations are continuing for the forthcoming Emerald International Irish Masters Show, which includes top class show jumping action on all three days and carries a total prize fund of €55,000.
The Irish Masters Show begins on Friday November 14th with top Eventing riders Sarah Ennis, Nicola Ennis and Katie O’Sullivan holding a Masterclass on the three disciplines of producing an Eventer
Sarah Ennis was part of the Irish Eventing team which recently secured Olympic Qualification for at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy and has over 20 years experience as a competitor, trainer and coach and she is joined in the Masterclass by her sister Nicola Ennis who also has recorded a string of impressive International results and by Katie O’Sullivan, who finished as runner-up in Ballindenisk CIC3* in 2012 and also finished highly in the CIC3* at Haras du Pin in 2013.
On Saturday November 15th multiple Grand Prix winning Show Jumping riders Tholm Keane and Derek McConnell will hold a Masterclass on producing a stallion, before the Eventing riders hold a second performance. Later that evening, Irish National Show Jumping Champion and World Champion from the 2013 WBFSH at Lanaken, Greg Broderick, along with fellow leading rider and producer Ger O‘Neill, will hold a Young Horse Masterclass.
Details of a “Special Guest Masterclass” taking place at the final day of the show on Sunday November 16th will be announced shortly, while Show Jumpers Greg Broderick and Ger O’Neill will also hold a repeat performance of their Young Horse Masterclass on the same day.
