IN the aftermath of a glut of weather-related cancellations, it is a relief to see that the season’s first international fixture at Ballindenisk has been given the green light next weekend.

Unsurprisingly the entries are a little down on last year, but Ballindenisk’s Peter Fell is pleased to report that riders from 10 countries are due to take part. There are a healthy 32 individual riders travelling from Britain alone, while other nations represented include Australia, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Among these is the New Zealand multi-medallist Blyth Tait, as well as the popular British riders Ben Hobday, Matt Heath, Kylie Roddy and Holly Woodhead. The home side has also been supportive, featuring senior internationals Sam Watson, Cathal Daniels, Ciaran Glynn, Michael and Patricia Ryan and Joseph Murphy.

The entries are down by about 40 in comparison to last spring, but as Peter Fell explained: “The fallout from the weather has certainly affected us, and the deficit is largely due to the lack of qualifications, while a few have withdrawn because they haven’t been able to get the runs. To be honest, we are disappointed with the reduction, but in the circumstances, I’m delighted with the number we have. To put things in perspective, in England last week only Larkhill ran – and that only catered for novice classes.”

While the weather has, in Fell’s words, been “horrendous”, the forecast is looking good.

“We have been confident the whole way through,” he said. “Things are definitely picking up and the grass is growing – although it will be spring ground. It has been tough, but in fact we have never been so ready. The cancellation of our national March event was a very good call, and as a consequence there was no damage to the ground at all. It has also allowed us an extra two weeks preparation work for this international.”

Riders have the choice of eight international classes over the three days, with the focus centring on the three CCI long format competitions, and one confined to juniors.

Encouragingly the CCI3* has attracted a bigger field than last year, and while there are only seven Irish riders among the 22 entrants, they are likely to start as favourites. Sam Watson’s Imperial Sky is a proven performer over the Ballindenisk turf, as is Joseph Murphy’s Gorsehill Pearl who completed in seventh spot two years ago. The good mare Rioghan Rua last had a full run here back in 2015, but Cathal Daniels will be keen to make an impression. Declan Cullen could be another in contention, as he teams up with his Boekelo partner Seavaghan Ash.

From overseas, Matt Heath is one of the few to have clocked up a run this season, and he looks likely to go well with the former Jonelle Price ride Aloha. The duo were double clear at Burnham Market last month and completed Blenheim CCI3* in the autumn.

The field in the Eventing Ireland CCI2* looks especially open as any one of the 15 runners could achieve. From the home side, Stephanie Stammschroer will hope to go well with her young rider team horse Master Swatch, while from the UK, eyes will be focused on Tanya Buckingham-Lloyd. The latter rides the Irish mare OBOS Impressive, who readers will remember winning the young event horse class in the RDS with Ciara Power as a five-year-old.

Unusually there are no Irish riders in the long format CCI* but 11 make the start list in the popular CIC3*.

Included among them are Ireland’s intended Badminton runners Ciaran Glynn (November Night and Killossery Jupiter Rising), Joseph Murphy (Sportsfield Othello) and the husband and wife team of Patrisha and Michael Ryan ((Dunrath Eclipse and Dunlough Striker). Murphy is further represented by Fernhill Frankie and his veteran Olympian Electric Cruise. Blyth Tait spearheads the overseas challenge with two horses, one of which, Dassett Courage, was placed third in same class last autumn.

There are also two well supported underage classes featuring juniors and ponies. Recent Millstreet winners Maresa Ronan and Super Jumbo could be the favourite in the former, while the similarly in-form Isabelle Comerford and Colour Me Fancy look likely to shine among a competitive field of pony runners.

COURSE PLAN

Out on the land, Fell has been mindful of the likely conditions and has put contingency plans in place. While the cross country will run as normal, there are plans afoot to re-site the dressage and the show jumping arenas if necessary.

“Everything we are going to do is geared towards the ground and ensuring that both horses and riders have the best possible footing,” he explained. “The timetable has been adjusted to allow time to move arenas if necessary, and we hope that everyone will work together to make this all as smooth as possible. The same may apply to the show jumping arena, which could see separate rings for each class.”

The cross country courses will follow largely the same routes as last year, although there is an interesting new loop after the first of the water complexes.

Among the new fences is a drop to a big open parallel to a brush on a bending line, which will replace the old Dolmen feature. On the homeward stretch, an imposing pair of narrow bull’s head follow a parallel, running up towards a new trakehner before the final water.

“We have been mindful of the fact that horses are short of runs, so while it is absolutely a three-star, we have taken everything into consideration,” added Fell.

Away from the competition itself, the social action will centre around the vicinity of Ballindenisk House. This now provides a hub for the stabling, offices, hard standing for the majority of lorries, and the restaurant and bar. It is also the venue for the increasingly popular and always entertaining donkey derby.