WHILE the ongoing standoff between event organisers and Eventing Ireland over event dates has not budged, two venues have stepped in to give riders an outing.

Ballindenisk will now run an additional event at EI100 and EI110 level on May 14th with entries currently open. Owner and organiser of the Cork venue, Peter Fell, has been open in saying he has no issues with the insurance currently on offer by Eventing Ireland and will do what he can to ensure riders gain their Minimum Entry Requirements to compete at internationals, including running additional events.

Every rider entered at this event must provide one volunteer and is asked to contact Joyce Fell (021 4889106) before Tuesday, May 13th to confirm who will fill this role. Anyone who has not done so will be withdrawn.

In welcome news to the western region, which has been bereft of an event for well over a decade, Flowerhill EC outside Ballinasloe is also hosting a one-day event at EI80 to EI100 level on Sunday, June 29th. Entries for this event open at 9am on Monday, June 16th.

EI Western Region chairman Ralph Conroy said he was thrilled to see eventing return to the west.

“We are very grateful to Flowerhill who are very keen to be back on board,” he said. “We are endebted to Oliver Walsh who has a wonderful facility there and we will soon begin work on upgrading the fences. It’s all hands on deck and we welcome any support or sponsorship. It’s very exciting for eventing in the west.”

Speaking to The Irish Field this week was Eventing Ireland Chairman Niki Potterton who welcomed the addtional events.

“Well done to Ballindenisk for kindly stepping in and well done to the Western Region committee for helping to get Flowerhill on the calendar, there is a great drive and energy among that committee and it’s great to see.

“In terms of other events, we had a very progressive meeting on Thursday night and hopefully everything is in place to proceed with the calendar. We believe we will be signing off on dates as early as this weekend.”