Friday the 8th of April saw the running of the inaugural Munster Rodeo Fundraiser, the aim of the night was to raise money for the running of the Munster Showjumping Leagues, these include the 1.35m Grand Prix, 1.20m Speed Series, 1.10m Under 75 points League, Amateur, Young Rider and Pony Leagues. The idea of the night was the brainchild of Paul Beecher the former Hickstead Derby winner and with the help of the Munster Leagues Fundraising committee the wheels were put in Motion.
On the night people travelled from far and wide to be in attendance, with people coming from as far wide as the UK, everyone that was there on the night deemed it a huge success with a great nights entertainment provided to all, teams of three which included one pony rider on each tried their hand at the bull to be crowned the “Munster Rodeo Champion” with only one team coming out on top it was the Waterford-Tipperary SJI team who claimed the spoils and were crowed champions, the team was made up of Joan Widger, Mark Moloney and David Raeburn. In the runner up spot was the team hailing from Loughnatousa, made of the brainchild behind the night, Paul Beecher, Kian Dore and Joe Whitaker, of the famous Whitaker family of the Uk. In third place on the night was the team from the Limerick-Clare SJI made up of Alan Wheeler, Aisling Moran and David Moran.
The MC for the night Kieran O Donovan ever was pressured into trying his hand at the bull but has a slight issue in getting onto the bull and needed some help from a friend Paddy O Donnell, also turning their hand to the bull was the three Regional chairmen, Tony Hurley Cork-Kerry and Munster chairman, Francis Connors Waterford Tipperary chairman and John Mc Namara Limerick-Clare chairman.
With the Rodeo night over attentions are now turning to the next planned ever for the Munster Leagues Fundraising Committee, which will be the New Years Eve ball taking place on the 31st of December 2016 @7pm, tickets will be going on sale later in the year, A limited number of tickets can be pre booked for the event by emailing showjumpingpro@gmail.com, more information about this and much more can be found on Munster SJI on Facebook and Twitter or www.munstershowjumping.ie
Pictures
1st Place: Waterford Tipperary SJI (L to R) David Raeburn, Tony Hurley Munster & Cork Kerry SJI Chairman, Mark Moloney, Francis Connors Waterford Tipperary SJI Chairman, John Mc Namara Limerick Clare SJI Chairman, Joan Widger
2nd Place: Team Loughnatousa (L to R) Joe Whitaker, Tony Hurley Munster & Cork Kerry SJI Chairman, Kian Dore, Francis Connors Waterford Tipperary SJI Chairman, John Mc Namara Limerick Clare SJI Chairman, Paul Beecher
3rd Place: Limerick Clare SJI (L to R) Alan Wheeler, Tony Hurley Munster & Cork Kerry SJI Chairman, Aisling Moran, Francis Connors Waterford Tipperary SJI Chairman, John Mc Namara Limerick Clare SJI Chairman, David Moran