DESCRIBING the FEI European Champions (YR/J/CoH) at Millstreet last week as an event that brought “great honour’’ to Ireland, chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, Professor Pat Wall joined Minister for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, in welcoming riders and supporters from nearly 30 nations to Co Cork.

With so many international flags, riders, supporters and entourages in tow, the Green Glens Arena was a virtual melting pot of nations with teams from as far as Russia and Turkey joining those from all over Europe for the event.

Being a European Championships, there were also top officials on duty from many countries including Finnish World Cup course builder Aki Ylanne who acted as Technical Delegate while Co Derry’s Gerry McCloskey served as Chief FEI Steward.

Swiss course designer Gerard Lachat set some tough tracks, assisted by Munster’s James Tarrant, Germany’s Olaf Herrmann and Switzerland’s Rolf Luedi. Kirsteen Reid from Barnadown was Assistant FEI Steward and is off to the Global Champions Tour next week on similar duties at Valkenswaard.

Ireland’s riders were tutored at Millstreet both by their chef d’equipe Comdt John Ledingham and their own private trainers, including Michael Blake, Vinnie Duffy, Marion Hughes and Miguel Bravo.

Keeping an eye on his Swiss team riders was Atlanta Olympic silver medallist Willi Melliger. The man who was a superstar with the grey Calvaro V (by Cantus) was smoking a cigar as he spoke. “I have been training for seven years, we have had a good show with bronze in young riders. I don’t compete now but when I did, I won many times with Calvaro.”

Pat Duggan, Noel C’s brother who has supported him in the background for years, added: “It has been a fantastic week.

The standard of horses and riders has been amazing. Our Irish riders are to be proud of. I have watched them develop from their pony days each summer here and to see them excel again at European level is something special.”

As the show drew to a close, honorary president of Millstreet 2016, Liz Wheeler, concluded: “I hope everyone returns to their countries with happy memories of their visit to the Green Glens Arena, of exciting competitions and new friendships formed.”