NEXT week’s fixture at Ballindenisk may appear on the calendar as the last of the home internationals, but its enduring popularity has ensured a bumper entry from riders overseas.
This is the flagship event for the Fell family, so connections are delighted to be welcoming back big name regulars Izzy Taylor, Laura Collett, the husband and wife team of Tim and Jonelle Price, and look forward to greeting first timers Jesse Campbell from New Zealand, French international Arthur Duffort and recent Burghley hero Tom McEwen.
These are just a few of the top riders making the journey to Co Cork to contest six full international classes, as well a pony CIC1* and the prestigious Michael Leonard national championship for five and six years-olds.
“We are very happy with the entries, which have remained open to accommodate riders who may be re-routing from Blenheim, as well as those who ran at the National championships last weekend,” Peter Fell said during the week.
“It’s been a long season with no breaks, so the entries have been a little slow to come as riders finalise their plans.”
While the Fells are sticking with a tried and tested format in terms of the infrastructure, riders will note a change in the course building responsibilities at the one and two-star levels.
While designer Andrew Fell is back at the helm for the three-star classes, his fiancée Helen West will be in charge of the smaller tracks. Helen comes well qualified for the task having been awarded a course designing scholarship by British Eventing in 2015, and this year took over the course design at the international fixture in Nunney, England.
She has also evented at the top level as a professional, and as a young rider won team gold at the European championships in 2001. “Helen will definitely be putting her stamp on the courses,” Fell said. “All tracks will follow similar routes to those used in the spring, but there will be subtle differences all the way.”
One major innovation to the equestrian programme at Ballindenisk this year has been its emergence as a popular polo centre. This weekend however, the polo ground will lend its manicured turf to the dressage and the show jumping finals.
“The two work very well in tandem. Of course the international horse trials take preference, but with all the mowing that we have done over the summer, the ground has never looked better,” commented Fell.
He is equally upbeat about the terrain in the country, adding: “At the moment it’s about perfect eventing ground. We have had rain, but no consistently heavy days, and the forecast is not too bad at all.”
TOUGH COMPETITION
Out on track, competition will be tight, and while the international entry is undoubtedly powerful, it will face a strong challenge from the home side. Among the field in the long format CCI3* are Ireland’s recent national three-star champion Aidan Keogh (Master Tredstep) as well as the runner up Joseph Murphy (Gorsehill Pearl).
From overseas, the Millstreet CIC2* winners Jesse Campbell and Amsterdam look the ones to beat but fellow Kiwi Tim Price and Pats Jester could also be in contention.
The indomitable Izzy Taylor is double handed in the CIC3* and, teaming up with Frog Rock and Impromtu, is targeting her fifth international win on Irish soil this year. Her main danger could come from the Olympic pairing of Jonelle Price and Faerie Dynamo, as the ever competitive Price is just returning after the birth of baby Otis last month.
From Great Britain, James Somerville rides his top horse Talent, while heading the Irish contingent is Sam Watson and Imperial Sky. The duo picked up a good top-six placing in a similar class at Millstreet recently, and will be keen to finish the year in even better form.
The remaining classes follow the long and short format at one and two-star levels, and completing the programme are a small class of ponies, and the ever-popular Michael Leonard national championship for five and six-year-olds.
This highly coveted trophy, which is presented by the Leonard family in memory of their father and top horse producer Michael, will be contested by a field of 16. Standing out among the entrants is Michael Ryan aboard the consistent Briarhill Marco, but many eyes will be on Ann O’Grady’s (nee Leonard) newcomer Ballingowan Euphoria ridden by Robbie Kearns.
The pair was placed third at the National Championships at Tattersalls last weekend, and with the Leonard family connection, have the added incentive.
The weekend kicks off with the dressage phase on Thursday, progressing to the main cross country action for the long format classes on Saturday. Spectators will be treated to two days of cross-country, as running in reverse, the CIC riders show jump on Saturday, before heading off into the country on Sunday.