A SMALL army of workers and volunteers is currently putting the finishing touches to Millstreet ahead of the top venue’s hosting of the upcoming FEI European Eventing Championships for Juniors and Young Riders (July 19th-23rd).

Presented by Connolly’s Red Mills and the Duggan family, the Championships are attracting some 140 competitors from 16 countries and it is estimated that the event will pump an estimated €5m into the Irish economy.

“It’s particularly big as the Juniors and Young Riders are being hosted together in the one venue. We are pulling out all the stops at Millstreet. The two courses are both looking resplendent and will be run in reverse direction, it’s totally different and introduced a whole new dynamic. We are delighted with how the courses are looking and the ground, it’s all systems go here,” said Millstreet’s Thomas Duggan who thanked Connolly’s Red Mills for their sponsorship.

“We did a study and it showed that the event represents the equivalent of 24,000 bed nights to the Munster greater region alone. Taking in account accommodation, food, drink retail spent and fuel sales, the Championships are worth up €5m to the region. We have our brigade out working to ensure that all will be ready. We resurfaced Millstreet’s Main Arena for this and the upcoming Millstreet International Horse Show. That needed to be done as we were into our 12th year with it, the work is being finalised this weekend. We will be hosting the dressage in the Main Arena and the jumping there on the Sunday as well,” said Thomas who acknowledged all the help and volunteer support.

“Credit where credit is due, it would not be possible without them,” he said.

An exciting well-organised social schedule has also been planned for evening entertainment.

GAIN SQUADS

The Gain Irish squads for the Championships were named by Horse Sport Ireland this week and, as host nation, a dozen riders have been selected for both competitions.

To no great surprise, multiple underaged medallist Cathal Daniels has been named on the Young Rider Squad, this time with Margaret Kinsella’s Imperial Hights gelding Sammy Davis Junior on whom the Galway-born rider finished best of the Irish when 14th of the 59 starters in the CCI2* for seven-year-olds at Le Lion d’Angers in October.

Co Kildare’s Tessa Harley, who was leading Irish competitor when 11th in the CCI2* for riders under 25 at this year’s Tattersalls International Horse Trials, has been named with Catsky as has England-based Co Down native Susie Berry who, nominated with two horses, has just returned from a spell on the sidelines through injury.

Also from Co Down, sisters Izzy and Katie Riley have been named on the Junior squad with Ballycarron Lad and Versace Biscuit respectively. They finished third and second in the CCIJ1* class at Tattersalls behind Co Kildare’s Alex Power who has been listed with the horse he rode to win on that occasion, Lakantus, and his fourth-placed mount, Millridge Cara.

“The team of four will be selected after the first veterinary inspection in Millstreet,” commented the Young Rider team manager Sally Corscadden. “We are in the strong position of having some very experienced riders, such as Junior European team gold medallists Cathal Daniels, Susie Berry and Nessa Briody to call upon and we all feel it would be the ultimate prize to win a championship medal on home soil.”

GAIN Irish Young Rider Eventing Squad – Susie Berry (Morswood/Carsonstown Athena), Nessa Briody (Tomboy), Daragh Byrne (Peruising), Alice Copithorne (Fort Arthur Going For Gold), Cathal Daniels (Sammy Davis Junior), Tessa Harley (Catsky), Adam Haugh (Master Gold Touch), Robbie Kearns (Garrybritt Bonny/Green Master), Shannon Nelson (Commanchero), Gavin Smiddy (Carraigh Rua), Casey Webb (Beltrim Full Moon) and Patrick Whelan (Footfall).

GAIN Irish Junior Eventing Squad – Correna Bowe (LCC Cooley), Luke Coen (Stroke Of Genius), Cillian Creedon (Spirit in the Sky), Anna Kelly (Something Special), Robyn McCluskey (Rum Jumbie), Alex Power (Lakantus/Millridge Cara), Izzy Riley (Ballycarron Lad), Katie Riley (Versace Biscuit), Maresa Ronan (Super Jumbo), Stephanie Stammschroer (Master Swatch/ Tullabeg Horizon), Jim Tyrrell (Rock Gift) and Sofie Walshe (Kinsau).

The Junior reserves are 1st, Ben Rowlatt McCormick (Mon Ami Alme), 2nd, Lucy Hancock (Skyhills Cavalier), 3rd, Becky Coonan (Jantar) and 4th, Patrick Mackie (Carneyhaugh Conquistador).