The Irish are gearing up for the beginning of the Grand Prix season for 2007 with the opening Grand Prix league being the Guidam League which is kindly sponsored by Knightfield Equestrian who stand the world famous stallion, Guidam and the Showjumpers Club (Ire)

The Guidam league will show us many of the new horses for the riders and shows us some of the new youngsters preparing for the step up to the major summer Grand Prix League.

With fences in the opening round sitting around 1.35m it is a lovely introduction to the season for those who opted not head to Spain for their opening season shows.

The Guidam League is a series of seven shows with the opening show being held on March 18th at Kill International Equestrian Centre who have undergone some major cosmetic surgery over the winter - all three indoor arenas have been resurfaced as has the outdoor arena.

The second round will be held at the home of Irish International great, James Kernan in Co. Armagh on March 25th, with Millstreet hosting the third leg on March 31st. April sees Barnadown hosting the fourth leg on the 8th, Boswell on the 15th, Clare Equestrian Centre on the 15th and Mullingar Equestrian holds the final event on April 22nd.

It was a big year in 2006 for the girl from County Clare and her wonderful homebred stallion, Chippison (known around the stables as Chippy) as they got a last minute call to compete for Ireland at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen where they won the hearts of the crowds and performed spectacularly as the highest placed Irish rider, finishing in 24th position individually and taking home the honour of Team 6th.

Marie is a woman who always seems to have a smile on her face and there is no doubt in anyone's mind that Chippy is her "main man" with these two having formed a formidable partnership reaching heights nobody (except perhaps Marie) ever thought possible.

Although why anyone doubted his ability is a surprise as this superstar stallion is a son of Cavalier Royale, a leading showjumping sire in Ireland and his mother Chipmount was herself a Grade A International showjumper who took Marie to some of the biggest international shows such as Spruce Meadows and Hickstead.

Marie and John Burke bred Chippison themselves in Doora at their own Clare Equestrian Centre (hosts of the sixth round of the Guidam Spring Tour) and he was the result of Embryo Transfer, allowing Chipmount to continue her competition career while still producing progeny.

At the Showjumpers Ball held just prior to Christmas, Marie was named International Showjumper of the Year (2006) after an overwhelming public vote for this award. Marie was quite obviously thrilled with this award and thanked the people who helped and supported her throughout the year, especially her family and friends and sponsors Orchard Equestrian.

As if this publicaly voted award wasn't enough, Marie was also the recipient of the Paul Darragh Special Achievement Award and this award was particularly special to her. Marie was trained for many years and was still under Pauls tutelage at the time of his untimely death.

On receiving this award Marie said "Paul Darragh always had faith in me and Chippison, and to win this award is very special for me in Paul's memory".

We look forward to seeing Marie and her horses at the shows in 2007 and wish them all the best for another exceptional season - they are a wonderful team, a pair who show how great showjumping is when rider and horse work together in harmony.