SUMMING up what was undoubtedly a most successful weekend of sport at the Fernhill Kilguilkey International Horse Trials, first time visitor and New Zealand eventing legend Blyth Tait complimented simply, “This is how eventing should be.”

The quadruple Olympian was fulsome in his praise for the fixture, and spoke for all when adding: “The event was relaxed and friendly. The courses were beautifully presented, and getting their priorities right, the organisers had worked wonders with the ground, and got it spot on.”

Indeed, producing good ground conditions has always been paramount for host Danny Dulohery, who explained, “It’s very straightforward – if the ground isn’t good, the riders won’t come back.”

With this in mind, Dulohery planned his tracks at the start of the year, and keeping them roped, is able to control and manage them at all times. From early on in the year, he was also conscious of the possibility of dry weather, and with no natural water supply on site, had taken the precaution of storing a huge amount of water in an unused slurry tank.

As things turned out, Dulohery’s foresight proved invaluable, as drying winds and a glorious hot day on Sunday had left the ground firming rapidly. “This was always my biggest worry, so we had the contractor on standby,” he remarked. “We had already aerovated, but after I walked the courses again with Michael Ryan on Saturday night, we decided to water the entire track that evening.”

This they did, and pumping 20,000 gallons an hour, a driver worked through until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Reflecting on how the competition panned out, international course designer Mike Etherington-Smith was pleased overall, albeit a little surprised that some fences caused more trouble than they had last year. “The three-star track was new in 2016, and a big investment, so although there were a few changes it was largely very similar,” he explained.

“As a result, I didn’t expect the corners to produce quite so many run-outs, and the ‘squirrels’ on the mounds (9ab) for some reason didn’t ride so well this year as last. That said, I was very pleased with the outcome, and in terms of presentation, Danny and his team have hugely raised the bar.”

Another positive was the vast increase in entries. Not only had they almost doubled from 12 months ago, but for the first time in its five-year history, the event attracted a notable overseas contingent.

The added numbers also swelled the ranks at Kilguilkey’s famous party on Saturday night. The Duloherys generously hosted a barbeque for all on site, before riders and ground jury members took part in a competitive and comical tug-of-war. The night was far from over however, as by popular request, the inimitable accordionist Liam O’Connor and his family returned to entertain late into the night.

Of course an event of this size would not run without its loyal band of sponsors, supporters and volunteers. Michelle and Danny Dulohery summed up by thanking them all, especially title sponsor Carol Gee of Fernhill Sport Horses, new sponsors Top Spec and Global Event Horses, together with Haygain, Eventing Ireland and a long list of fence sponsors and contributors.

Cancelled

THE bumper entry did have a downside however, as Michelle and Danny was forced to cancel the planned young event horse classes. This was due to the siting of the extra temporary stables and lorries in the Derby field, but with well over 100 enquiries, Dulohery is determined to stage the class next year.

Fence design

ONE feature at Kilguilkey is the quality of the fence design. Detailed carvings appear at every turn, so while it was not surprising to see the Cunningham family from EquusPix recording the artistic structures, it was a turn up to learn that their website, at the time of writing, had already received 65,000 views.

“This stems from worldwide viewing, and is probably the biggest visitation of any other event in Ireland,” commented Charles Cunningham. “The photos of the course hooked everyone – and having caught the imagination, people then followed to see how the course rode. We were caught by surprise by the number and we’re delighted for Danny and Michelle.”

Silver salver

SATURDAY evening will also remain in the memories of Tom and Carol Henry, who as the long term owners with Michael and Patricia Ryan, were recognised by the Board of Eventing Ireland for their services to the sport. The couple, who are based in America but spend their summers in Co Cork, received a silver salver from Eventing Ireland chairman David O’Meara.