IT was testament to the great occasion enjoyed by all at Dundalk three days earlier that there was still plenty of chat at Tyrella last Saturday about the Horseware Event Riders Challenge.

The driving force behind the race was Declan Cullen who said that he decided to think outside the box when those on the WEG and Horizon squads were asked for fund-raising ideas. “I think the fact that Sally was so supportive of the race was a huge plus and then everyone at Horse Sport Ireland and Eventing Ireland came on board.

“I also got a huge amount of help and encouragement from Emma Meehan at Dundalk as she was the liaison between the racecourse and Horse Racing Ireland. I was delighted to see the race fill up and then to see how many people took tables on the night. There was also a large number of people who just came to see the race and it all added to the occasion.

“I thought Toni Quail was ice-cool on the winner and it was really good of Sarah (Ennis) and Clare (Lambert) to take part even though they were competing down in Wexford earlier in the day. Poor Sarah got a lot of abuse on Twitter as she was riding the favourite but those people weren’t the ones helping with the fund-raising.

SPONSORED

“I would like to thank all those who rode in the race, those who sponsored them, those who bought tables and, of course, the race sponsor, Horseware. I am hugely proud of the feedback we got from Dundalk, from the Turf Club officials and the vets who were working on the night. I thought everyone showed that we are competent riders and we will definitely run a race again next year. I got a lot of thanks from the other riders and I must say I feel quite honoured by it all.”

Declan rode two horses at Tyrella on Saturday, Keonan Hero who finished eighth in Section B of the CNC1* and Grand Marnier who was fifth in Section B of the EI100. His mount in the charity race didn’t fare as well but, lined up on the wide outside and behind almost throughout, the grey mare (who was kindly supplied by Gavin Cromwell) may not have been ridden as positively.

“I did pass Aidan Keogh close home so I wasn’t last!” said Cullen who saluted the crowd crossing the line.