CLIVE Corrigan, whose family hosted last weekend’s Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Ireland National Championships at Lisgarvan House for the first time, was overwhelmed by the support he received from volunteers.

“People came out of holes in the ground to help us,” said Corrigan. “It seemed like there was about a thousand volunteers on-hand because every time you thought of something you wanted done, there was someone there to do it; they were fantastic.

“I’d also like to thank my own team here who worked so hard before, during and even after the event; the place now is just about ready to put the cattle and sheep back out. I’ve a great team here who build the fences designed by Paul and Alan Brady (EI120, EI115 and EI110) and myself (EI100 and EI90) and they are always up for a challenge.

“It was our first time to run a national championship for Eventing Ireland (we’ve done Pony Club and Riding Club in the past) and the first time we brought in temporary stabling. That worked out very well and I’d like to thank Richard Nesbitt for his help as stable manager. We didn’t water but did aggravate the cross-country course on Saturday afternoon. I’d also like to thank all our sponsors, it’s because of their support that we were able to produce such great courses.”

Ian Cassells, who won two titles at the weekend, commented: “The cross-country courses for all levels were up to standard for a championship and asked plenty of questions without punishing horses, although I found the times to be tight. The show jumping, which was in a new area, could have been a bit higher at the lower levels.

“Besides prize-money, I got a nice feed voucher from Connolly’s Red Mills (to whom the Corrigans sell grain when they have it and from whom they buy feed when they need it) and the extra money I shared with Carla Williamson, for winning the Pro Am, was a nice incentive.”

As ever, Clive’s mother Emily and her sisters provided a wonderful spread for the officials and volunteers but the icing on the cake was the third-place finish in the EI90 (P) national championship for Clive’s 14-year-old daughter Kate. She rode the Connemara gelding Fortane Silver Fox, a five-year-old by All Smoke who she has brought on herself and with whom she made her EI debut at Punchestown in early August.