LAST week’s spring international at Ballindenisk marked an incredible 50 consecutive years of eventing at the venue making it by far the longest-running fixture in the country.

Still run almost single-handedly by the Fell family, Ballindenisk has changed considerably over the past half century and, while the view over the rolling Cork countryside generally remains the same, the immediate vista is one of extensive all-weather arenas as well as international standard cross-country courses, which attract riders from all corners of the eventing world.

Its enduring success is a testament to the dedication of the hosting Fell family and, while founders Joyce and Robert have now taken a supporting back seat, Peter spearheads the business with equal enthusiasm. Looking back over the years, Peter commented: “Eventing and competition at Ballindenisk is what I grew up with and grew up doing.

“I have a passion for it - for welcoming visitors to the farm, and presenting a challenging competition.

"I love to see the established riders doing well and, most of all, to see the kids progressing through the levels.”

In the past few years, the improvements at the venue have gathered pace. “I could never ever have imagined that we would have the facilities we have now,” Fell added. “The amount, the size of them and the cost. We are constantly dreaming up big plans, and the affordable way of doing things. It’s been a steady progress and will continue to be so but you can get a lot done with hard work.”

The event now runs like a well-oiled machine and, looking back at last week, Fell was happy with the outcome. The rain on Thursday and Friday may not have been universally welcomed, but with the addition of the all-weather arenas, it did not affect the dressage and, most importantly, it did put the final touches on what proved to be good galloping ground for the cross-country.

Experience

Always mindful, Fell had used the entire main arena for the show jumping which meant that the warm up was a short distance away. “This gives riders and horses a proper championship experience,” he remarked. “Riders have to walk from the warm up, and makes them really focus on the task ahead.”

Fresh from designing the four-star tracks at Stable View in America, visiting designer Helen West, who is married to Peter’s brother Andrew, was charged with building the feature courses that would test the best yet allow for the first-timers.

“With several Badminton combinations entered, I set out to build a track that was true to the level and fair,” she explained.

“There were enough tricky lines out there, but there were also options. I’m glad I went for the minimum distance as I was aware that some horses were short of runs – and indeed some finished tired.”

West has a busy season ahead of her and, in between more trips to the States, she will be working alongside Captain Mark Phillips designing at the European championships in Blenheim this autumn. Ballindenisk however remains a favourite. “It’s always fun to come here,” she concluded. “The event is so authentic and traditional – it’s like eventing used to be and should be.”

Home winners

Despite the high standard of the visiting riders, it’s good to report that the lion’s share of the red ribbons stayed on home turf with just two wins going overseas. It was a major treat to see Padraig McCarthy land the feature NutriScience CCI4*-L with his exciting home-bred MGH Zabaione and, while it’s always a bonus to gain an Irish win, no one would have begrudged Kiwi rider Caroline Powell her short format victory with the Badminton bound and 2024 winner Greenacres Special Cavalier.

It was both a pleasure and a credit to Ballindenisk that Powell chose the venue as her final outing in the run up to defend her title, as well as to do so competitively. Among the other Badminton hopefuls enjoying confident runs were Sarah Ennis, who was third in the short format with Grantstown Jackson, and Sam Watson aboard Ballyneety Rocketman.

The young stars, both human and equine, also had a rewarding trip. Having won both EI115 classes at the last two Tyrella fixtures, Momo Sheehy and TMX Herby clocked up a hat trick in the CCI3*-L while Sam Watson, riding the seven-year-old Ballybolger Goldman, took home the spoils in a competitive CCI2*-L.

Landing yet another Irish victory for his supportive owners, Joseph Murphy picked up a classy CCI3*-S win aboard Barberstown Castle Rehy, leaving the two-star equivalent to American rider Gillian Beale King (Tullabeg Evita).

It was a job well done, and Fell is now looking forward to two more national events, before the final half century celebrations at the international in September.