2017 Ballycommon Sponsored Ride this Sunday!
The wait is almost over for this year's outing of what has become one of the most looked forward to events of the year, the Ballycommon Sponsored Ride.
A big day out for all the family, this time the 'BSR' is being held at Ballycommon on Sunday March 19th to raise funds for cystic fibrosis charity TLC4CF.
A key attraction at the event again this year is the 'I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Over It' challenge, in which 22 local 'celebrities' will attempt a horse jumping course. Most of the entrants are affiliated with a local pub and are trying to raise money for TLC4CF. The pub that raises the most sponsorship will host a presentation night in the weeks following the Ride. Five camogie clubs are taking place this year and the one that gets the most sponsorship will win a set of BSR hoodies.
The BSR also features a 20km series of trails through all manner of terrain, which upwards of 200 horse riders will attempt to negotiate. There are some 130 jumps on the course. Also this time out will be the Inter-hunt Puissance, kicking off at 10.30am and featuring riders from Tipperary, Limerick and Clare wearing their county colours and vying for the Carol Seymour Memorial Cup.
There will also be Pony Wall for young riders, and 'tractor taxis' will be in service to help spectators take in all the action, and these will be wheelchair accessible. There will be free food served throughout the day at various locations. The BSR concludes at The Thatched Cottage, Ballycommon, with a barbeque, raffle and music. While there is no entry charge, those in attendance will be invited to make donations.
TLC4CF (Tipperary, Limerick, Clare for Cystic Fibrosis) is delighted to be appointed as the charity beneficiary for the prestigious Ballycommon Sponsored Ride 2017. Since 2008, TLC4CF has raised nearly €7 million to build and provide essential health services for people with cystic fibrosis in the Mid-West region. It recently opened a new adult CF inpatient and outpatient unit in the grounds of the University Hospital Limerick and the construction of this facility was entirely funded through charitable donations and local fundraising events.
All donations raised by the Ballycommon Sponsored Ride 2017 will be used to equip this new adult CF inpatient and outpatient unit, particularly the physiotherapy gym, which is used by people with CF over the age of 16 years. The TLC4CF committee stated that it is “extremely honoured to be chosen as charity beneficiary this year. We send our congratulations and thanks to the hard working organising committee and generous local sponsors.
“We are truly grateful for the ongoing support of the local community, particularly our local families with CF. To all riders, participants and spectators, we wish you a wonderful day’s ride in Ballycommon!”
Official BSR merchandise including hoodies, jackets and hats will be available on the day, which has something for everyone - horse lovers or not. It is sure to entertain young and old alike and, remember, it is a free event.
Welcoming all to the 'ultimate ride', the organisers of this family day out would like to thank all the sponsors and landowners involved.
Timetable of events
10.30am: Parade of celebrities from the Thatched Cottage to the 'Field of Dreams'
11am: Start of three puissance wall competitions (Celebrity Wall and William's Wall)
12.30pm: Conclusion of wall competitions
12.45pm: Start of Ballycommon Sponsored Ride 2017
3pm: Half-way break at Kilodiernan, Puckane
4.45pm: Finish of BSR 2017 at Ballycommon.