THE 2018 Camphire International Horse Trials and Country Fair, which takes place on the historic and picturesque grounds of Camphire Estate was launched this week.

The event, which hung in the balance just a few weeks ago due to a reduction in monetary grants, will take place from July 27th-29th at the Wilks family’s Camphire Estate and on the adjoining Browne family farm on the banks of the Blackwater River in Waterford.

With seven international classes, the feature event is the SemaLease CCI3*. Gain Equine Nutrition continue their support of the event with their sponsorship of CIC2*, which also attracts a strong international field.

The new three-star challenging cross-country course designed by event organiser Paul Brady, with support from renowned Olympic and World Equestrian Games course designer Mike-Etherington-Smith, covers three and a half miles with over 40 obstacles.

“It takes huge cost and support in order to be able to run an international event such as this and I give special thanks to our main sponsors, SemaLease, who have come on board this year, for their generous sponsorship,” event organiser Paul Brady said.

“Also, I would like to thank Gain Equine Nutrition, Castleacare and Ecclesiastical Insurance, George Corbett Skoda, Horse Sport Ireland and Eventing Ireland as well as private patrons and friends for their continued support. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our land owners, the Wilks and the Browne family for this spectacular venue.”

Camphire has much more to offer visitors than just horses and world class equestrianism with the added attraction of the country fair and shopping village, as well as the ever popular Gain Dog Show which should once again prove a huge hit for all the family with 10 categories to cater for all breeds, shapes and sizes. The dog show is in aid of The Irish Guide Dogs.