Equestrian: Saudi boost for Irish show jumping

UP to 15 members of the Saudi royal family are set to spend up to three months in Ireland this summer as part of the recently announced multi-million euro deal involving show jumper Dermott Lennon’s and the Arab state’s ruling family.

The royal visitors are expected to compete at shows countrywide, the view being that the Irish show jumping circuit is ideal to broaden the scope for Lennon’s enthusiastic, talented but relatively inexperienced students.

As details of Lennon’s input were outlined yesterday at Dubai international show, it also emerged that the Irish sport horse industry was set for a boost as the Banbridge rider went about sourcing rides for his new patrons.