DURING the long-term build-up to last week’s FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders and Juniors, event director Thomas Duggan and his father Noel C. attended the senior championships at Blair Castle.

Little did they think that one similarity between September 2015 and this July would be the weather but, thankfully, it arrived in the reverse order with the torrential rain which fell during the second sessions of dressage on Friday being replaced by brilliant sunshine for the weekend.

It was also a lovely night when Duggan personally put up all the posters with the competing countries’ national flags and names on the three roads leading into Millstreet, a nice touch which was favourably commented on by international visitors.

“I went out one really calm, warm night at 8pm and got finished around midnight. One of the chefs d’equipe remarked that it involved the town in the championships, which was the aim, as did the parade of nations and the opening ceremony.

“It’s very stressful putting on an FEI sanctioned event but we were very, very pleased with how the championships went and that’s because our clients were pleased. Friday was a very wet day but that’s when the best results were achieved in dressage. The new surface in the arena did its job well both in the very wet conditions and in the dry; everyone remarked on Sunday how good it was to jump on.

“We had spent three days watering the cross-country course, which was very hard in places, and had even used one of the two aggravating machines we had on site early on Friday morning before the rain came. As it turned out, we had to put dust out in a couple of spots but, even along by the river, the ground held up well.

CHAMPIONSHIP TRACK

“I know some people thought that four water fences on the two-star course was a lot but Mike (Etherington-Smith), our cross-country course designer, is the expert and what he wanted was a true championship track with alternatives to bring the teams home.

“In 2015 we introduced a policy of free entry to our shows and events so between that, the new cross-country fences, putting on the opening ceremony, getting in the bands and not holding back when we’re asked to do something new, we are one of the biggest sponsors of equestrian sports in the country. We also have a good partner in Connolly’s Red Mills who are in their third year of supporting us through the Welcome Tour, international show and international event.

Duggan added: “One thing that did disappoint us was the lack of live streaming. Once we learned that FEI TV wasn’t covering the event, we wanted to provide live steaming ourselves and had been in discussions with an Irish firm about coverage. However, due to commercial reasons, the FEI wouldn’t allow us to do so.

“A lot of people have been asking us if we are going to bid for a senior championships and we have to consider it.

“However, the demands on holding one are very tough financially and there would be no question of us going into that alone. I think a senior championships would be good for Ireland Inc but they would have to be supported by Ireland Inc.”

Duggan admitted that he and his team were very tired after the championships, the inclement weather being an additional challenge, but they had little time to rest with the international show due to start next Wednesday, August 2nd.

While all 140 horses at last week’s championships were housed in the permanent stables, next week 1,100 will use temporary stabling. Also, the indoor will be in full use so there will be no room for hurlers to practice their skills.