Green Glens show ramps up a notch for weekend

A FESTIVAL atmosphere prevails in Millstreet this weekend on the staging of its International Horse Show.

The 39th hosting features a diverse entry for the bumper six-day programme at the Green Glens location, with an array of national horse and pony categories offering €200,000 in prize money.

The splendid complex was looking never better was never looking better than it is now, thanks to the Duggan family and team, who have worked wonders on accepting entries totalling 2,000 animals.

Permanent stabling units will cater for in excess of 1,500 horses and ponies.

Tarmac roadways are in place, a hard-court caters for parking for lorries and cars with a tented village encompassing trade exhibits.

Entry is free to the public with the action beginning from early in the morning and continuing late into the night.

From the picturesque venue overlooked by Clara Mountain, the spacious main arena is enhanced by all-weather and warm-up arenas that add to the facilities for equine entrants.

A mammoth 108-event programme is scheduled, with eight arenas, including the spacious indoor complex, catering adequately for the bumper entries.

Of course, Millstreet’s reputation as a shop window for the promotion of the Irish Horse will again be enhanced in the conforming classes.

Buyers will attend, seeking trained horses for show-jumping across the world to view the highly popular six-to-seven-year old Boomerang, the four-yearold National Discovery and the three-year-old Young Irelander.

As the week progresses, so does the diverse fare.

Tomorrow (Friday) sees the prestigious Young Irelander Final at 8pm.

Saturday is devoted to a number of exciting finals at all levels, with the Millstreet Masters commencing at 4pm. Indoor action is dominated by the prestigious National Discovery Final, underway at 8.30pm.

Sunday’s action commences with the Mares Championship Final at 8am; the Millstreet Ruby five-year-old decider at 10am; and the popular Boomerang Final scheduled for 12pm.

The programme is completed with the Millstreet Grand Prix, allowing the best of homegrown talent compete, with overseas visitors in search of €25,000 prize-money.

Away from the hectic action inside the rings, there is a full allotment of trade stands and events on-site.

Nightly, there is a feast of entertainment and live music sessions.

Outside of the Green Glens Complex, a carnival atmosphere permeates throughout the town.