Numbers pouring in for International Horse Trials in Millstreet
MILLSTREET welcomes its second CIC International Horse Trials Championships this weekend at the multi purpose Green Glens Complex and adjoining Drishane estate.
With an attractive prize fund exceeding €45,000, the schedule consists of international and national classes together with CIC Young Horse classes for 6 and 7 year old horses to cater for those preparing for the FEI World Eventing Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Angers in October.
The eventing course centres around the ancient Drishane Castle, with historic features remain that include stone walls, a 19th-century mill wheel and lime kiln to rolling countryside against the backdrop of Clara Mountain.
There are exciting times ahead for the venue, which is to host the 2017 FEI European Young Riders and Junior Eventing Championships next summer much to the delight of Thomas Duggan.
“This has always been our goal, to take little steps at a time and build up the venue for major eventing competitions. Drishane Castle is a unique venue and we are merely polishing an old diamond by opening it up for such events, our course designer Mike Etherington-Smith has done a wonderful job”, he said.
“We had a hectic few months this summer, staging the World Mounted Games Championships followed by the European Show Jumping Show Jumping Championships for Juniors, Young Riders and Children on Horses , the annual Millstreet International Show and now the International three-day event,” said Mr. Duggan.
Millstreet has firmly established itself as the shop window for the Irish equestrian industry and the Duggan Family are renowned for their commitment to the production of young sport horses. Earlier this year, the legendary Millstreet-bred event horse ‘Coral Cove’ was sadly put down at 29 years of age.
Under the care of Seamus Hayes, ‘Coral Cove’ became one of the best known event horses of his time; amassing 1,293 British Eventing points over a career which included completions at 12 long-format three and four-star three-day events.
Now the Duggan Family are delighted to name the CIC*6YO class in his memory and the winner of the 2016 ‘Coral Cove’ CIC*YH class will receive a trophy kindly presented by regular visitors to Millstreet, Vere and Clea Phillips. Elsewhere, producers of younger horses will be catered for with the return of the ‘Eventing Young Irelander’ class for three year old horses, four and five year old horses will be showcased under lights, with the top ten horses in each age group going forward to the ‘National Eventing Discovery Final’ in the International Arena on Sunday.
Over 150 volunteers will be required to stage this weekend’s event featuring two days of Cross Country on Friday and Saturday, the Drishane Castle estate provides unrivalled panoramic views, allowing visitors and spectators to follow the action of the Cross Country phase against the backdrop of Clara Mountain with dressage. Showjumping for the CIC classes taking place on Thursday, Friday and Sunday on the all-weather surfaces in the Green Glens Arena.
Admission to the Millstreet International Horse Trials is free.