Sally Parkyn

GAINING a unanimous thumbs-up from those who took part, Fernhill Sport Horses Kilguilkey House International Horse Trials staged a much applauded fixture last weekend.

Raising the bar yet again, the Mallow event has upgraded to three-star status in this its fourth year and delivered a competition worthy of its rank. The feel-good factor was tangible at the venue, with great support for hosts and organisers Danny and Michelle Dulohery, together with title sponsor Carol Gee. The couple’s unfailing passion and commitment was evident throughout, as were their efforts to facilitate every need.

Dulohery had stated early on that his main objective was to produce good underfoot conditions. While this is never easy to fulfil in an unpredictable Irish summer, it is a major issue nowadays and one that can divide riders and organisers like no other. In the end, Dulohery was good as his word, and assisted by the weather, presented perfect ground around all three tracks and accompanying arenas.

“We’re learning all the time, but I think we got it right,” he reflected.

Sandwiched between the established international fixtures of Tattersalls and Camphire, the event has struggled to attract riders from overseas so this year it was good to see visitors from Great Britain, Italy, Holland and Canada. It is hoped that feedback from the fixture will swell the ranks further again next year.

Certainly, the courses, designed by the renowned Mike Etherington-Smith and beautifully crafted by Dulohery and Bill Blyth, would stand up anywhere in the world and were, according to visiting ground jury member, Dane Rawlins: “Simply stunning. This is a great event and one that deserves to be inundated with overseas riders.”

While the CIC one and two-star classes attracted a sizeable entry, the number of runners in the feature three-star were comparatively modest. In light of Rawlins’ remark, this was a little disappointing for the organisers, as the event offers Irish riders an ideal opportunity to sample an international atmosphere together with world class course design.

Off track, Kilguilkey’s famous hospitality also stepped up a gear when Liam O’Connor entertained all on Saturday night. Following a generously supplied pig roast and wine, the Newmarket native, who had toured with Michael Flatley, thrilled with his dynamic performance on the squeeze box and had the entire crowd on their feet before the night was over.

Of course an event of this size would not run without it sponsors, supporters and volunteers, and Dulohery summed up by thanking them all, before paying a special tribute to his wife Michelle: “She does the work of 10 people behind the scenes and I couldn’t do it without her.”