IT’s a big enough task to stage just one international event a season, but the industrious team at Kilguilkey are now gearing up to host the second edition of the Sema Lease International Horse Trials in the space of five weeks.

The fixture which has been scheduled to replace the cancelled Camphire date, once again runs under the title sponsorship of event supporter Richard Ames and Sema Lease.

Speaking as an owner of numerous event horses both here and in the UK, Piltown based Ames commented: “Everyone is delighted that Danny and Michelle have stepped up to give us another international fixture, and I’m equally delighted to be able to help them achieve it.”

Other sponsors back on board are the locally based Global event horse team of Brian Morrison and Chris Hunt, as well as Eventing Ireland, Black Rainbow and a raft of new and old fence sponsors.

Minor changes

The track, which was newly built last month, will remain very similar. It will of course include one or two new features, and Dulohery will inject plenty of minor changes to keep things fresh. Both water complexes will ask different questions from those used four weeks ago, and of course the ground is likely to be spot on.

“We have a good covering of grass, and plenty of water on hand if necessary.,” said Dulohery.

The schedule originally listed six classes, with two of these at the long format level. However, the demand was moderate for the distance efforts, so there are now four well-filled short format sectors from CCI4* down to the Intro CCI*.

The feature of course will be the Global Event Horses CCI4*-S, which carries a field of 20. Looking at the professionals, Joseph Murphy is well mounted on his recent Ballindenisk winner Calmaro, and already has two runs at course and distance.

Co Wicklow’s Louise Bloomer is always there or thereabouts with the consistent Shannondale Icarus, as is Ali Holden who is sure to do a smart dressage test with Oh My Balladeer.

Others with form include Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint who were placed fourth in the long format class at Millstreet back in May, and Brian Morrison, who as the class sponsor will be out to impress with both Global DHI and Global Faerlie Flashy.

It is a very open class which could also surprise with a fairy tale win for Lucy Hancock and Goldman.

Beale-King among favourites

At the last fixture, the American rider Gillian Beale-King swept the board in the two-star class, but now with her qualifications firmly in the bag, she looks to be among the favourites for the CCI3*-S.

Riding for title sponsor Richard Ames, she teams up with Derena Super Star, Chance Encounter V11 and Rebellent, but it is a very hot class and she will have plenty of opposition.

Among those she is likely to face at the business end will be Alex Houston who will aiming for a double with last month’s long format victor Minty Imp. Of the remainder, Brian Morrison is ready to score with Global Theodoros, Esib Power looks well mounted with Greenfort Gorgeous George while also fancied are Michael Ryan (The Caped Crusader) and Michael McNally with the thoroughbred Clonakilty Bay.

Strong hand

Philadelphian native Beale-King also looks to hold a strong hand in the Eventing Ireland CCI2*-S, as does local rider Sian Coleman (Blarney Monbeg Pepper and Blarney Acacia) and Patrick Whelan with the fast improving Altitu.

This is a very open class however, as is the final Black Rainbow Intro CCI*.

It is good to see a large number of runners line up for this popular sector which features a smart bunch of amateur riders as well as the in-form professionals, Michael McNally, Alex Donohoe, Michael Ryan and Leila Barker.