Town welcomes friends from across Europe
THE multi-purpose Green Glens is a hive of activity this week for the 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships ( Young Riders and Juniors).
No stranger to European Championships, the latest staging is another economic boom to Millstreet, 16 nations are participating, the extensive programme will include individual and team events in show jumping, dressage and eventing. A warm welcome has greeted visiting nations Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy ,Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain and Sweden with the host country Ireland strongly represented.
A céad míle fáilte is evident from signs on approach roads, bunting and the colours of visiting countries evident from many dwellings and buisiness outlets.
In more recent times, Millstreet hosted the FEI European Championships for Ponies (Dressage, Eventing and Jumping) in 2014 and the FEI European Jumping Championships ( Young Riders, Juniors and Children) in addition to the World Mounted Games Team Championships last year.
The 2017 Championships sees sixteen nations convene on the famous Green Glens Arena and Drishane Castle Demesne that will determine team and individual European medallists for Young Riders and Juniors.
Millstreet Community Council chairman Cllr Noel Buckley hailed the confirmation of Millstreet’s selection.
“All credit to the Duggan family for putting Millstreet in the spotlight once again. A combination of the spectacular scenery, great venue, the enthusiasm and ability of the organisers alongside some good old fashioned Millstreet hospitality will provide a fantastic competition for everyone involved including riders, owners, grooms and spectators,” he said.
The Championships commenced with a Parade on Wednesday evening, while this Thursday night sees a Barbeque at the Green Glens, allowing the opportunity to meet participants and assiociates from all 16 countries.
A limited number of tickets are available at the office 029-70800.
Competition operates from Thursday with dressage taking place over two days, the attention turning to the Drishane Cross Country Course on Saturday while the the all-important podium places will be decided with the final show-jumping phase at the Green Glens Complex on Sunday.