EXCITEMENT is building in advance of the Event Riders Challenge Race at Dundalk Stadium on Wednesday, March 28th with a full complement of 17 riders having entered by the start of this week.

This came as much relief to organiser Declan Cullen who has put a huge amount of effort into the race. While undertaking this voluntary position, working with Pegus and, with wife Becky, running a full yard and Cullen Equine Solutions, Declan has embarked on a diet so that he can make the weight for the race.

Sally Corscadden, high performance director of the senior eventing team, is among the entries. While she will be concentrating on her own performance in saddle, Sally will no doubt be hoping that young riders such as Cathal Daniels, Kelley Hutchinson and Patrick Whelan don’t enjoy themselves too much and decide to jump ship to the world of racing.

Being held in Dundalk, it wasn’t surprising to see so many Northern Region members entering the race. We already covered Johnny Steele’s participation but also among the entries are Toni Quail, Caroline Dennison and her nephew William Mackie, Jim Newsam, Jonny Mulligan and Emma Jackson.

The last-named rode in three point-to-points in the 2004/05 season, while Wexford entrant Clare Lambert won a bumper at Limerick one Christmas. While riding out for her sister Ann, Clare also took part in some schooling bumpers.

Balancing out the country a bit, there are three Co Cork-based riders among the entries – Michael Ryan, Jessica O’Driscoll and Brian Morrison.

It was particularly good to see south Dublin’s Aidan Keogh make an entry as, while he doesn’t have a big interest in racing, his late father Michael was Registrar of the INHS Committee from 1977 until he retired in 1995.

As riders have to raise a minimum of €2,000 to take part in the race, they would no doubt appreciate all sponsorship while others have the chance to support the Eventing Ireland high performance programme by booking tables at Dundalk Stadium on the night of the race.