EVENTING supporters are in for a real treat at Millstreet next week when the Co Cork venue welcomes its biggest international event entry to date. Wrapping up an excellent and extremely busy month for the Duggan family, the fixture has attracted a star-studded collection of international riders from 10 individual nations.

Among them are some high profile contingents from Australia, Canada, Britain, Finland, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, and the USA, as well as a powerful home representation. It is a feather in the cap for the Duggans that for the first time Millstreet has featured on the USET’s autumn European tour, and included among the cross Atlantic travellers are Olympic medallist Kim Severson, and four-star riders Jennie Brannigan and Hannah Sue Burnett.

British riders have entered in their droves. Standing out among the 50-plus squad are regular Irish visitor Izzy Taylor as well as former Olympian Jeanette Brakewell and senior internationals Laura Collett, Flora Harris, Ben Hobday and Nicky Roncoroni.

Equally powerful is the antipodean challenge, which is headed by Australian couple Kevin and Emma McNab. A dual winner 12 months ago, and a victor at Camphire last month, the in-form Kevin McNab will be joined by Brook Staples, Simone Brown and Ben Leahy. Also making a return visit are New Zealand’s Blyth Tait and Jesse Campbell, while Olympian Giovanni Ugolotti flies the flag for Italy.

The home side fields a very competitive squad, those in contention over the weekend will be senior internationals Cathal Daniels, Jonty Evans, Ciaran Glynn, Esib Power, Camilla Speirs and Sam Watson.

Power looks to hold an especially strong hand in the feature CCI3*, in which she teams up with her thoroughbred speed machine Soladoun. As one of just four Irish entries in the 18-runner field, Power faces a tough challenge. Picking a winner will not be easy, but one who could emerge as a possible favourite are last year’s USEF national CCI2*champions Jennie Brannigan and Stella Artois.

While the American duo is comparatively unknown on this side of the water, Blyth Tait and Darius IV caught the eye when placed at Kilguilkey last month. The Kiwi pair look ready for a win, as do Jesse Campbell and Amsterdam who are coming back to prominence after some good three-star results last year.

The popular short format CIC3* class appears to be the hottest of the weekend. The Irish hold a far stronger hand in this showcase, and standing out among the leading contenders are Sam Watson (Imperial Sky) and Camilla Speirs (BT Cloud Nine).

The duo are set to renew their Camphire rivalry, but will face strong competition from the on-form Australian Kevin McNab, as well as American rider Hannah Sue Burnett aboard the Irish-bred Harbour Pilot.

Compatriot Kim Severson (Cooley Cross Border) has set her cap at this class all year, and others likely to feature at the business end are British riders Millie Dumas (RF West Indie), Nicky Roncoroni (Stonedge and Watts Burn) and Izzy Taylor with Be Touchable.

Incredibly, although the venue has already hosted European championships for ponies, juniors and young riders in the past two years, this is only the third full senior international fixture.

At the designing helm once more, Mike Etherington Smith’s applauded tracks have been transformed since their inception, but this year will run in the reverse direction. “This has put a completely different dynamic to the course,” remarked organiser Thomas Duggan.

Although this event comes only weeks after the underage European championships, Etherington-Smith has made additional changes.

“The one and two-star are largely similar, but to facilitate the younger horses and less experienced riders, there are more alternatives on offer,” said Duggan. “There are also some nice new additions to the three-star tracks.”

Another sparkling new addition is the resurfaced main arena. This received the thumbs up from the show jumpers two weeks ago, and Duggan hopes the feedback back from the event riders will be as positive.

While the two three-star classes head the seven classes on offer, attention will also be on the CIC*YH for six-year-olds. Delivering a final opportunity to impress for Le Lion d’Angers selection, the showcase carries a prize fund of €7,500, €4,000 to the winner.