IRELAND’S international event season closes in style at Ballindenisk in Co Cork next weekend, where the popular autumn fixture has attracted some of the legends of the sport. Much to the delight of organiser Peter Fell, the interest from overseas has exceeded all expectations and among those competing are first time visitor Mark Todd, together with compatriots Blyth Tate and Tim Price.

These crowd-pullers head a record 80 entries from foreign riders, which for the first time will outnumber the home side in the feature classes. Others taking part include representations from 12 countries, namely Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Britain, Japan, India, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden and America.

Part of the attraction for these international competitors is the wide range of CCI and CIC classes on offer. This facility enables them to bring a number of horses of varying ages and abilities, an opportunity not always available at other international fixtures. This year there are seven international classes in total, as well as the prestigious Michael Leonard national novice championship for five and six-year-olds. “The home entries are down a bit but I’m obviously thrilled with the foreign uptake, especially in our CCI*** class,” remarked Peter Fell. “This competition has taken quite a while for us to build-up but in this pre-Olympic year and, with some horses needing a qualification, it carries even more significance.”

OVERSEAS ATTACK

Spearheading the overseas attack in this feature long format class is Ballindenisk regular Oliver Townend.

The Shropshire-based rider will partner his two Irish Sport Horses - SRS Cooley and MHS King Joules but will certainly not have things his own way. From Italy, Vittoria Pannizon is named to ride the extravagant Borough Penny Z, a veteran of the London Olympic Games and winner of the CIC*** at Wellington last time out.

Flying the Irish flag, Sam Watson looks particularly competitive with both Imperial Sky and Horseware Bushman, as do compatriots Sarah Ennis and BLM Diamond Delux and Patricia Ryan with the consistent Tullineasky Hi Ho.

Running alongside the three CCI classes are a similar selection of the short format equivalents. Of these, the CIC*** has proved especially popular with riders and carries 38 entries in total with nine from Ireland. With three runners on the board, including his Tattersalls CIC*** victor NZB Campino, hot favourite Mark Todd is no doubt relishing the thought of his first passage across the galloping Ballindenisk terrain. The Kiwi supremo also rides the eight-year-old Landslide, as well as the former FEHL winner Amacuzzi.

Finishing third to Todd at Tattersalls, Blyth Tait and Xanthus will be keen to turn the tables, as will Tim Price who filled third aboard Bango in the recent CIC*** at Millstreet. Largely mounted on younger horses, the home side field a less experienced challenge. Standing out however is Michael O’Toole with his Luhmuhlen hero Greenfort Endeavour, while stepping up in class are the fancied Michael Ryan (Apogee) Esib Power (Soladaun) and George Russell (Rock Spirit).

The Ballindenisk courses are known for their traditional features and are not for the faint-hearted. Big and bold, they present their own individual challenges and this year should be no exception. “The courses have a number of new fences and combinations,” commented Fell. “The avenue crossings will be used as usual but riders negotiating the first one in the CCI*** will find that they are jumping the full width (as formerly used in the two-star track) which will allow them two good strides. This is exited by a skinny brush but it does have an option,” he said.

As ever, Fell will pull out all the stops to provide the best possible going underfoot. “Everything will be done to have the ground in perfect condition. We have a great covering of grass and the forecast for the week is good.”

Adding to the international flavour, Fell revealed that next week’s officials also hail from a multitude of nations. “Our ground jury come from Britain, Germany, Finland and Bulgaria. Our technical delegates are from France, Germany and South Africa, while our FEI stewards have travelled from Germany and Poland and our shadow judges are from India.”

Off-track, Fell is continually upgrading the facilities and with autumn now well on the way, visitors will be pleased to note that the popular restaurant now has central heating! Hog Roasts will be on offer on both the Friday and Saturday evenings, while rugby fans will have the chance to view the major early World Cup matches on a screen beside the bar.