THE fourth and final Lightsource BP Tyrella one-day event was hosted by the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland last Saturday when a very wet and windy morning resulted in massive withdrawals from the majority of classes.

It’s never a good sign when you’re heading to a fixture and you meet horseboxes and trailers travelling in the opposite direction. However, a quick call to a rather harassed secretary Dora Beacom provided the assurance that the event at the Corbett family’s Co Down estate was still running. “Safety is paramount and once we got the paramedics to make sure that they could access every fence on the cross-country course, we decided to press ahead,” related Beacom.

“There are still plenty of riders trying to attain MERs and those that completed on Saturday were pleased that the event continued. However, it was a pity to see so many people leave early and a disappointing end to the series.”

vengeance

The first two events in the Tyrella season were staged in brilliant sunshine and, while it was a lot colder and breezier for week three, the rain, in the main, held off. Unfortunately, it made its appearance with a vengeance last Saturday but, as veterans of many equestrian pursuits can attest, there have been worse days at the seaside venue. Beacom provided some figures on the series which, for the first time, had a title sponsor in Lightsource BP.

“With input from Mike Etherington Smith, Adam Stevenson designed and built 17 courses which included a new water fence in the dunes, a new ditch and 16 new portables he constructed over the winter.

“All of these changes and additions were only possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of Vina Buller and her committee and those who supported them. We had 1,042 entries over the four days and used 321 volunteers.”

The latter group came in for particular praise from the regional secretary and those who had to stand out on duty last Saturday deserve special mention. Beacom tried hard to keep them informed of the number of withdrawals but, as there were so many, she had to give up in the end.

“I just told them that if there was anyone ready to start, just let them go.”