THE Duggan family and their Millstreet team are gearing up for a hectic season with the Green Glens Arena set to host five FEI international shows over the next eight months.

Preparations are well advanced for the Millstreet International Welcome Tour which takes place from April 6th - 15th. Now in its fifth year, The Welcome Tour offers 100 events ranging from newcomer ponies up to CSI* FEI classes with a total prize fund of €25,000 on offer.

Online booking for the Welcome Tour closes on Monday, March 27th. Riders do not need to decide what classes they will jump in at time of entry, instead pre-purchasing a desired number of ‘starts’ which can be used to declare for competitions before 5pm on the evening before.

Combined Training classes will take place and in a new move this year, an Eventing Ireland One-Day Event will close the second weekend of the Tour on Easter Monday with dressage, showjumping and full distance cross-country all taking place on the all weather surfaces around the Green Glens Arena.

There will be a number of qualification opportunities across the Welcome Tour including places in the Millstreet Ruby (5YO) and Boomerang (6YO) finals at Millstreet International Horse Show.

A special bonus of €500 is on offer for any horse/rider combination that finishes in the top six of the 1.30m Grand Prix on Sunday, April 9th, and goes on to finish in the top five in the CSI* Welcome Tour Grand Prix the following Saturday.

At pony level, places in the 138cms and 148cms Young Champion of Ireland Final will be on offer with the winners in August heading off to the London International Horse Show (Olympia) in December.

More information on www.millstreet.horse