Sally Parkyn

INTERNATIONAL eventing returns to Co Waterford next week, where Camphire hosts the sixth running of their popular horse trials and country fair. This year the team welcome yet another record-breaking entry, which includes 35 riders from Britain alone. Others to challenge a strong home contingent are entrants from Australia and New Zealand, as well as Hong Kong, Italy, Sweden and America.

Heading this impressive line-up and making her first appearance at the picturesque venue is British Olympic silver medallist Zara Phillips. An enduring supporter of Irish events, Phillips travels with three horses and will be joined by fellow London squad member Nicola Wilson. These two high profile performers spearhead a further group of British riders, among who are international competitors Lucy Wiegersma, Flora Harris, Georgie Spence and Emilie Chandler.

From the southern hemisphere, former Badminton winner and Olympic bronze medallist Jock Paget is accompanied by compatriots Dan Jocelyn, Jesse Campbell and Simone Brown, while flying the Australian flag are four-star riders Chris Burton, Kevin McNab and Emma Dougal. Not to be outdone, the home side fields an equally strong entry including senior listed riders Joseph Murphy, Austin O’Connor, Fraser Duffy, Sarah Ennis, Michael Ryan, Sam Watson, Patricia Ryan and new national champion Jayne Doherty.

These high profile entries and others are spread evenly between the seven classes, with the long format Castleacres Insurance Brokers CCI** and the Land Rover CCI* fielding 64 runners between them. Numbers increase for the popular Gain/Alltech CIC*** feature (52) and again for the Eventing Ireland CIC**, Bucas CIC**YR, Horse Sport Ireland CIC*YH and the remaining West Waterford Council CIC*.

Part of the growing attraction of Camphire is the wide range of classes on offer which make the journey more cost-effective for owners and enable riders to travel with several horses of differing ages and experience. One class that is proving especially popular is the Horse Sport Ireland CIC*Young Horse class, confined to six-year-olds. This showcase has really developed into a prestigious championship, and once again will deliver firm indicators to the Lion D’Angers selectors.

As a major supporter of the event, Horse Sport Ireland is sponsoring a prize fund of €1,000 for the top three Irish Sport Horses in this class, as well as to the equivalent seven-year-olds olds in the CIC**(provided they finish in the top 25% of the class). Early favourites from the home side could be new national CNC* champions Cathal Daniels and Sammy Davis Junior, as well as runner-up Emma Jackson aboard Cushlas Skyimp.

DESIGNER

As it has been in recent years, the track in the feature Gain/Alltech CIC*** has been designed by Olympic and World Equestrian Games designer Mike Etherington Smith. Making every use of Camphire’s natural attributes, he has based his course largely around that of last year, with major changes occurring at both water complexes.

Another slight alteration will appear at the drop combination (13abc) while the imposing table in front of the house now precedes the footbridge. The influential brush corners will need an accurate approach as usual, but there is a longer alternative here to facilitate an easier angle and extra strides.

The feature Gain/Alltech CIC*** is likely to be a close run affair. Home riders outnumber the visitors in this class and one keen to gain his third win in four years is Carlow international Sam Watson. He rides his experienced 2012 winner Horseware Bushman, while others in form include national champion Jayne Doherty, Austin O’Connor with his Rolex partner Balham Houdini, Sarah Ennis with course winner BLM Diamond Delux, Louise Bloomer and the consistent Hollybrook Sky High and Michael Ryan aboard his Kilguilkey victor Dunlough Striker.

Standing out among the visitors is Australian Chris Burton. Double-handed, he rides his Badminton partner TS Jamaimo and Belton winner Nobilis 18. Also looking strong is Emily Gilruth and Topwood Beau, who narrowly missed out at Ballindenisk in the spring, and David Doel with Chap.

Finally the popular Horse Sport Ireland masterclasses for four and five year-olds will take place on Saturday evening (5pm) and Sunday morning (9am). Sponsored by the Irish Horse Gateway, these showcases carry a prize fund of €500 apiece, while the winner will receive the Skylighter Trophy, presented by Joe Craig.

The tented village at Camphire continues to grow, in addition to a dog show and family entertainment.

Both Saturday and Sunday will see plenty of equestrian action, with Sunday being an ideal family day out to visit the estate. Entry will be €10 per car.