IN recent weeks, event organisers have proved themselves to be most adaptable, and none more so than Danny Dulohery and the team at Kilguilkey.

In the past month, Dulohery has hosted numerous training events for all disciplines, as well as a rearranged EI fixture. He also saw the cancellation of his long planned international fixture in June, and much to his surprise, now finds himself preparing for another international just six weeks later. This last-minute and much needed event has been staged at the request of riders, who are seeking valuable qualifications for the remainder of this and next year.

“We discussed the prospect with both Sally Corscadden and the riders. Not only did riders want the competing qualification, but also those in the selling business were keen to put some international form on their records. There has been lots of discussion, with HSI who have been extremely helpful and very supportive; with Peter Fell (who is also running an extra international fixture at Ballindenisk), and also with Caroline Neville who worked closely with them on the health and safety issues,” explained Dulohery.

Corscadden and the senior riders were keen to include a four-star class in the schedule, and while there was talk of running a full long format CCI4*-L, it was eventually decided to stay with the short this time around. Both this class and the remaining three classes are well filled, despite the enforced absence of overseas riders.

“It has been a matter of protecting our sport,” commented Dulohery. “Obviously we would have loved to bring people from across the water, but with the quarantine restrictions in place, we have to protect our own.”

Indeed, the health and safety regulations will be followed to the hilt, with the portable stabling distanced in blocks of four, and takeaway only catering.

There will be several familiar faces missing from the venue among which are British course designer Mike Etherington-Smith and the regular overseas members of the Ground Juries. As a result, next weekend’s fixture will feature an all Irish Ground Jury, and while the four-star track has been designed by Etherington-Smith, he has been assisted by Ireland’s Paul Brady who will be present on the day. The tracks themselves will be very similar to those of 2019, albeit with several minor tweaks and changes.

The fences will also be up to height, and riders who visited Kilguilkey a few weeks ago will have had a taste of the standard to expect. “The tracks will be busy with plenty of combinations,” stated Dulohery. “I didn’t want riders to come here thinking that it would be soft, so I built the recent national one on the same lines in order to prepare them.”

Well supported classes

The four classes have been well supported, with 30 runners in the feature CCI4*-S alone. This promises to be an absorbing competition, as the in-form Cathal Daniels takes on a strong field which includes fellow internationals Sarah Ennis, Brian Morrison, Esib Power and Sian Coleman.

Daniels, who swept the board at Punchestown recently, rides the dual seasonal winner Barricello, as well as Alcatraz who, under Oliver Townend, won the CCI3*-S at Ballindenisk last autumn. Daniels also rides the experienced Shannondale Percy who, like his stablemates, is owned by the American-based Dr Sarah Hughes.

Any of the aforementioned could score, but also appearing as strong contenders will be Sarah Ennis, who teams up with her Tokyo-listed ride Horseware Woodcourt Garrison and Brian Morrison with his top Olympic prospect Global Orchid. Others that could make an impact include Esib Power and Soladaun who, having led the dressage at both Ballindenisk and Lisgarvan recently, are ready for a win. The younger horses of Eclipto (Michael McNally) and Camphire winner Lady Baton Rouge (Sian Coleman) are also in form, and could easily feature at the business end of the proceedings.

An even bigger and equally competitive field of 63 lines up for the CCI3*-S. Once again Daniels is strongly represented with Shannondale Mari, as is Camilla Speirs who rides her recent Punchestown victor BT Martins Masterpiece and BT Angelo. Bang on form, Ian Cassells and Woodendfarm Jack O D are another pair to catch the eye, as is Louise Bloomer with Shannondale Icarus.

Kicking off on Thursday, the fixture concludes on Saturday, with sectors of CCI2*-S and CCI1*-S Intro, while Sunday’s action is confined to national competition.