Sally Parkyn

INTERNATIONAL eventing returns to Munster next weekend, where the popular Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey International Horses Trials hosts its fourth renewal. Once again supported by Carol Gee’s Fernhill Sport Horses, the event has attracted entries from several nations, including riders from Canada, Britain, Italy and Holland.

As a venue, the Mallow event improves each year, and among the upgrades for 2016 will be eagerly awaited unveiling of the new CIC*** track. Designed by the renowned Mike Etherington Smith, and built by Danny Dulohery and the team at Kilguilkey, the class will be the feature of the weekend.

It will run under the new sponsorship of Haygain, while Eventing Ireland lends its support to the CIC** and Horsezone UK to the CIC*.

“We are delighted to have Carol (Gee) on board once again,” said Dulohery. “She has supported us from the start in terms of knowledge and expertise, and has given us the confidence to raise our own bar. It is also great to have the support of our new sponsors, who are all involved in the industry and have a deep interest in eventing in Ireland. In addition, we are lucky to have a large amount of fence and arena sponsors as well.”

Focusing on the competition itself, perfectionist Dulohery has pulled out all the stops to deliver three tracks of the highest class. “The past 12 months have been mostly spent planning, building and creating what we hope are fabulous fences and ones that will prove memorable for all the right reasons,” he said.

Of course one of the most crucial aspects to an event’s success is the preparation of the underfoot conditions, and in this regard, Dulohery is determined to give riders every chance of a confident run. “The tracks have been roped off and regularly topped. There is plenty of grass cover, and prior to next week’s action all the courses and the arena will be aerovated.”

The event will commence with the dressage phase of the CIC*, which will set the ball rolling on Friday afternoon. Adding interest and not a little tension, this popular class has been nominated as part of the final selection for the pony European teams. In recognition of this, pony riders will have a separate prize giving, for the €500 prize fund donated by the Duloherys.

Among the overseas riders this year are the British-based Canadian rider Madison Penfound, who has two rides in the two-star class. Others include Aaltje Valk from The Netherlands and Italian regulars Elisabetta Moranzoni and Ginlucca Gardini. Co Cork-based British competitor Sian Hawkes also holds entries, both in the three-star and one-star classes.

The event is an important one for Irish competitors. Necessary qualifications have to be gained while the experience acquired over this calibre of course is invaluable.

At the time of writing, Olympians Joseph Murphy and Michael Ryans head the list of senior international riders in the Haygain CIC***. Ryan rides last year’s CIC** victor Dunrath Striker, but will face quite a challenge from Murphy, who teams up with his four-star partner DHI Top Story.

Others likely to impress are in the in-form James O’Haire (China Doll), Brian Morrison (Cloonacauneen Black Beauty) and three-star debutantes Heidi Hamilton and Dam Easy.

The Ryan team also looks favourites to lift the Eventing Ireland CIC**. Michael has opted to ride his very experienced Badminton partner Ballylynch Adventure, but will have his work cut out to foil a challenge from his wife, Patricia, aboard the impressive Dunrath Eclipse.

The Horsezone.co.uk CIC* entry includes a number of recent winners and one who could feature prominently is the double handed Camilla Speirs.