Credit where credit is (over)due

Madam,

THE undisputed victor of the FEI European Junior and Young Rider Eventing Championships was the host venue, Drishane Castle, Millstreet, Co Cork.

Samuel Johnson, the 18th Century essayist and wit, wryly commented “the Irish are a very fair minded people – they never speak well of one another!” With due deference to Dr Johnson, I disagree with this bon-mot and cite in evidence the ‘Duggan Phenomenon’ that was so magnificently expressed (again) last weekend to showcase Ireland as the most natural theatre for equestrian sport.

The cross-country courses were masterpieces of design and construction and fairly tested without unduly taxing the intrepid International competitors. Problems were liberally dispersed around both courses and no particular “bogey fence” emerged.

This compliments the competence of the course designer. Some 45% of the Juniors were clear inside the time and half as many, 23%, of the Young Riders enjoyed the same experience reflecting the appropriate differential between the one and two-star challenges and emphasising the progressive skill standards required to successfully advance through this Olympic discipline.

The narrative that accompanied each fence on the cross-country track was a masterful touch. It fused history, culture and folklore for the visitors and brought the “culchie” from cul-an-ti into the parlour en route.

The mature, naturally undulating parkland surrounding Drishane Castle is magnificent, but the conspicuous amount of landscaping that is currently ongoing would flatter Capability Brown’s admirers. What a clear subliminal message of the long term development-plan for this striking venue.

No institution or organisation could surpass the professional standard that prevailed in Millstreet last weekend. Ireland Inc was done proud. Noel C., Thomas and their cohorts deserve to be wholeheartedly applauded and congratulated for having done the State some service.

The generous event sponsors deserve reciprocal public support. There was no admission charge to the championships, yet volunteer stewards were everywhere (proudly sporting their GAA vests). They were, to a man, efficient, effective and pleasant. Conversation was easy and enriched by the lilting melody of their local accents.

Appropriately, the Minister for Agriculture, food and the Marine, Mr Michael Creed TD, officially opened the championships and could not have failed to be proud and impressed with what was on offer in his own constituency.

One hopes in the context of the Indecon Report that he confirms “beart de reir briathar” and seriously promotes Irish equestrianism as a significant agricultural/rural enterprise. A metaphorical telescope is hardly necessary to scan the horizon for Ministerial nominees when such conspicuous proven talent is at his own door-step.

Give credit where credit is (over)due and emphatically refute Dr Johnson’s remark!

Yours etc

Harold McGahern,

Longford