DOLLANSTOWN used to one of the top eventing venues in Ireland with the cross-country tracks living up to their billing each season, while attention to detail in all phases was a hallmark of the Bjoerk family and their team.

Unfortunately, it is not the only North Leinster Region venue which has disappeared into the annals of time, as the list below demonstrates. However, in this strange year, a new low point was reached with not a single event being held in North Leinster, although five had been scheduled including the national but not the international at Tattersalls.

Hopefully, there will be a national event at the Co Meath sales complex next year but, at present, Tattersalls are very much concerned with carrying on their core business of selling horses as Covid-19 restrictions continue to disrupt trade.

Geraldine Bellew of Cloncaw Equestrian outlines the situation of the Glaslough Horse Trials in Co Monaghan. “Both of our original dates in June were cancelled by Eventing Ireland because of the first lockdown and the resultant movement restrictions.

“When events were able to proceed under the EI protocols, we discussed the viability of running and decided not to host any events in 2020 due to a number of factors – finding dates that didn’t clash with those in the Northern Region was going to be an issue; numbers would have to be limited with all the parking protocols; and the additional number of volunteers required along with additional expenses would be prohibitive. Instead, we focused on hosting four legs of our popular Premier Saddlery two-phase event league with all protocols in place as required.

“We are hoping that Glaslough Horse Trials 1 and 2 will be on the EI calendar in 2021 and that some kind of normality returns to the equestrian calendar – not only for EI but all activities. This year has certainly been one of challenges which hopefully will be less in 2021 although living on the border may give us other issues to deal with next year.”

Killossery Lodge Stud staged its first EI one-day in 2013 and, two years later, when much-needed, four one-days were hosted by the Glynn family at their north Co Dublin venue. When eventing finally commenced this season, they too were scheduled to hold two events – in early July and early August – but, when asked to move the second so as not to have three events over the August Bank Holiday weekend, they declined to and pulled the July date as well.

“Ironically, there were three events over that Bank Holiday weekend anyway (four if you include the Northern Region),” said Ciaran Glynn. “At the moment, I don’t see us holding any EI events here next year. In a normal year, it’s financially difficult to stage EI events but, this season, it was nearly impossible with all the Covid-19 restrictions and who knows what way things are headed next year.”

As Killossery Lodge attracts a large number of Northern riders, Brexit too is a worry for Glynn who would now find it difficult to fit a registered event into the venue’s calendar as he and his team staged a huge number of well-supported competitions, clinics and schooling sessions at Killossery once given the go-ahead to resume activities. Very strict and commended Covid-19 restrictions were in place while Facebook postings of course plans and coursewalk videos helped speed up their ride-and-go policy.

“As someone who got a lot out of eventing, I always wanted to put something back but I no longer feel the need to,” said Glynn. “It’s very disappointing for the sport to see competition gravitating towards a few venues and this is something that needs to be addressed by all involved.”

Telling list

Here is list of North Leinster Region venues no longer on the EI calendar (some may be missing). Among the reasons for their cessation were land sales, changes of farming regimes and family circumstances, finances and lack of support while some events had just run their course: Ardmulchan, Ashmount, Ballinagore, Ballinlough Castle, Boden Park, Bridestream, Castle Leslie, Castletown House, Charlestown, Charleville, Dollanstown, Donacomper, Dromiskin, Dunany, Dundalk, Glaspistol, Hollywood Rath, Kildemock, Kiltallaght, Micknanstown, Milverton, Ravensdale Lodge, Tallanstown and Tankardstown.