THERE was a strong Irish presence at Hartpury in England for the annual International Eventing Forum which staged an entertaining and informative fixture. This year’s theme focused on Horsemanship and how we define it.

Aiding in this mission were some very influential speakers and pundits, including Ireland’s National Hunt jockey and show jumper Robbie Power, who joined forces with Kiwi eventing legend Andrew Nicholson. From north of the border, the head of the British Thoroughbred retraining centre, Gillian Carlisle, explained her role in the rehabilitation of thoroughbreds, while on the same lines, coach and author William Micklem spoke passionately about the importance of the thoroughbred blood in eventing.

There were also sessions by dressage coach Adam Kemp and American barrel racer Nicole Kallstrom, while later in the day, the crowd was all ears as Belfast consultant orthopaedic surgeon Michael Eames assisted by Gary Spence, discussed the injuries incurred in the sport, and demonstrated ‘how better to fall’.

The forum, which was founded by Jean Mitchell and Eric Smiley, regularly attracts a full house comprising of riders of all levels, coaches, veterinary surgeons, owners and students.

The morning session opened with an informative explanation of how the British Thoroughbred Retraining centre works. Refreshingly frank and unsentimental, an astute Carlisle spoke about which horses are suitable for retraining for an alternative equestrian career, against those that are not.

In a timely follow on, William Micklem spoke of the ‘thoroughbred gold’ in eventing. Interestingly, he pointed out that the top eventing money winners in the world carry an average of 70% thoroughbred blood minimum, while the German squads ride horses of an average of 77% blood. Food for thought indeed.

Completing the session was the highly regarded Kemp, together with the former barrel racing world record holder Kallstrom, who demonstrated her speedy abilities around the barrels with the lightest of contacts, while Matt Frost showed a very different style of execution.

The afternoon opened on a serious note, when consultant orthopaedic surgeon Michael Eames voiced his concern of the number of falls in this high risk sport. At his hospital in Belfast alone, he sees around 300 of equestrian related injuries each year, some of which are life-changing.

He spoke of the necessity of fitness and was accompanied by Gary Spence together with a trio of game volunteers. Spence demonstrated ways of falling which, based on jiu-ditsu techniques, aim to lower the risk of injury.

Finally, and for many the highlight of the day, was a mixed jumping session under the expert eyes of Nicholson and Power. They were assisted by a top-drawer team of event riders including Ireland’s multi-decorated Cathal Daniels – on his way to the arena eventing in Bordeaux. Opening with the show jumping phase, Power and Nicholson built some tracks of acute angles and distances, progressing to include some cross-country fences negotiated at the relevant pace.