TRADITIONALLY marking the start of the home international event season, the popular spring fixture at Ballindenisk is due to begin on Thursday. Once again, and despite current logistical difficulties, the event has attracted riders from nine countries, with the individual deputation from Great Britain numbering well over 20 alone. Other nations represented include contingents from France, Italy, Hong Kong and New Zealand, while adding to this competitive mix is a powerful entry from Ireland. Olympians Caroline Powell (New Zealand), Vittoria Panizzon (Italy) and Giovanni Ugolotti (Italy) are all travelling with a quantity of horses, as are top Irish internationals Ian Cassells, Sarah Ennis, Joseph Murphy and Sam Watson.
Sarah Ennis will ride her Blenheim European championship partner Dorough Ferro Class Act in the CCI4*-S at Ballindenisk \ Pam Cunningham/Irish Eventing Times
Despite the varied spring weather, Peter Fell has reported that the ground is in good order and all is set for the weekend ahead. “The recent spell of good weather has made it easy for us,” he said. “We have most of it ready to go.” As regards entries, Fell is heartened by the positive response from both national and international riders, and was led to comment: “We’re certainly happy enough, especially in the current global situation. The impact of this is affecting us all - it is so much more expensive for people to do everything. The only down side has been the poor entries in the CCI1*-Intro (just eight at time of writing).” As reported in The Irish Field last week, Fell feels that the increased cost of FEI registration, together with the changes to the qualification requirements from Eventing Ireland, are the main reasons for this deficit and, as a result, he has introduced a new EI 105 national class for those that it might suit better. “Hopefully, this will attract the amateur riders, as well as the professionals looking to give a run with their young horses,” he said.
Running like a well-oiled machine, little has changed backstage. The hub of the event and the catering will, as usual, centre around one side of the main arena, which gives a natural viewing platform for spectators.
Moving on to the competition proper, there are long and short format classes at four, three and two-star level, as well as junior level. In addition and completing the full array, there will be the CCIP2*-S pony class, the CCI*-Intro and the EI 105 national class.
Former winner of the Nutriscience CCI4*-L Giovanni Ugolotti will return to Ballindenisk for their Spring International / Equus Pix Photography
The two NutriScience-supported four-star classes are obviously the highlight of the weekend and, as usual, the short format has attracted more entries than the long. As the feature class however, the NutriScience CCI4*-L will be a highly competitive affair and, with a field of 11 runners, looks very open. While it is disappointing to note that there are no Irish entrants, the overseas challenge will be very competitive. Emerging as a possible front-runner, Kiwi rider James Avery looks to hold a promising hand with his five-star campaigner MBF Connection, and comes here on the back of recent double clear rounds in the CCI4*-S at Kronenberg, as well as at Thoresby. From Italy, Vittoria Panizzon is also likely to go well with DHI Jackpot, who picked up a top-10 open intermediate placing at Thoresby two weeks ago.
Sporting a start list of just shy of 40 horses, the NutriScience CCI4*-S boasts a high-class and another very open field. Batting for the home side, the Irish senior riders are out in force, with European silver medallist Ian Cassells, Sarah Ennis, Sam Watson, Patrick Whelan and Sian Coleman leading the way. Having enjoyed good spins in Germany recently, Ennis’s three rides are spearheaded by Dourough Ferro Class Act, while Coleman travels with her recent Thoresby CCI3* runner-up, Kilroe Frolic.
Having opted to open his campaign on home turf, Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis come here on top form and, as a result, are the probable favourites. From New Zealand, Caroline Powell rides her Lisgarvan victor Tik Tok, who will be well supported by his stable companion CBI Aldo. Another likely to feature at the business end is the double-handed Kilkenny-based British rider John Tilley, who at the time of writing, already has four seasonal wins under his belt.
As last year, international designer Helen West is charged with designing both the four-star tracks. Fresh from performing similar duties at Stable View in America, West has already stamped her mark at Ballindenisk and continues to do so. “Ballindenisk is a great galloping track, but as it’s relatively quite flat I’m always looking for terrain - especially at the higher levels,” she explained. “As a result, I’m looking for clusters of questions and, this time around, riders will note a number of changes. I have introduced a different take on the original coffin fence, which is now exited by a left-handed corner, where the ground just falls away to the left. It’s a cheeky one, and riders will need to concentrate!” Other new additions will include some off-set brush corners, as well as a pair of off-set single barrels following the last avenue crossing. “This will sort out the men from the boys!” added West.
The start of the season is always intriguing, so marking the form for the year ahead and boasting such a strong start list, Ballindenisk is sure to be a fitting opener.