AMERICA’s largest three-day event, Rolex Kentucky CCI**** in Lexington, will be attended by Irish Horse Gateway as a key promotional event for Irish-bred and produced event horses.

Over 20% of the horses entered this year in the four-star event were bred in Ireland, among them two horses bred by Kilkenny’s Thomas Hughes from the same dam, the Imperius-sired mare Flown.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Irish Horse Gateway aims to be the first point of contact for overseas clients seeking information on sourcing Irish horses and ponies for equestrian sport and leisure.

Horse Sport Ireland’s Director of International Marketing, Elaine Hatton, said: “The Irish Horse Gateway aims to attract and facilitate future American buyers to come to Ireland to source their next eventer. I’m looking forward to attending Rolex Kentucky Three Day event this year, Irish horses are leading the way for international eventing.”

Top American riders Bruce Davidson Jnr, Philip Dutton and Boyd Martin are campaigning top Irish-breds, in pursuit of a win at the four-star Rolex Kentucky.

Bruce Davidson Jnr’s string includes the Irish-bred Park Trader (ISH)(TIH), a 14-year-old gelding by Master Imp out of Ballyhast Polly (ISH) by Highland King (ISH), bred by Wexford’s Christopher Bailey and the 10-year-old Radolin gelding Copper Beach, sold at Goresbridge. Davidson also has Ballynoecastle RM (ISH), a 16-year-old Ramiro B gelding out of Ballyvallon Natatlie (ISH) by Blue Laser (TB), bred by Wexford’s Sylvester Cullen.

America’s Philip Dutton rides Mighty Nice (ISH), a 12-year-old gelding by Ard Ohio out of Sarazen (ISH), bred by Cavan’s William Kells and Fernhill Fugitive (ISH), an 11-year-old Lux Z gelding out of Barnadown Ramiro (ISH) by Ramiro B, bred by Wexford’s Maurice Cousins.

Boyd Martin rides Master Frisky (ISH)(TIH), a 12-year-old gelding by Master Imp (TB) out of Frisky Legs (ISH) by Coopers Hill (ID), bred by Kilkenny’s Sean Power.

Ireland’s Timothy Bourke will campaign Luckaun Quality (ISH), an 11-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality out of Colwyn Bay (ISH) by Cavalier Royal (HOLST), bred by Laois breeder Ronan Sheehan.

The Irish Horse Gateway will also attend the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton International Horse Trials the week after Rolex.

For information on The Irish Horse Gateway, please see www.irishhorsegateway.ie