AN enormous outpouring of sadness and disappointment greeted the news that the Tattersalls International Horse Trials has come to an end.

Social media was flooded with thousands of comments from people, nationally and internationally, reacting with sadness and disappointment at yesterday (Friday) afternoon’s announcement from Tattersalls Ireland.

Ireland’s senior High Performance director Sally Corscadden thanked Tattersalls for raising the game in Ireland. “It is obviously hugely disappointing because it was such a fantastic venue. It was everybody’s aim from ponies and juniors to senior riders, so it is a huge loss for us in eventing.

“It was so exciting when it came on board as a venue. George [Mernagh] put so much effort into it. I was lucky to ride there at the beginning. It really raised the game and showed what Ireland could do at the international level of eventing.

“I would like to thank Tatts for the years they did run and the fantastic sport that they produced, I am very sad it is gone.

“It was always a good cross-over with thoroughbred industry and it was great to have their support. Tattersalls had its own feeling; people were really happy going there, we were looked after so well and it was run so well. It will be very hard to replace and it will be big loss on the spring calendar.”

It’s a very sad day for all concerned but one that has been coming. The commercial realities of operating an event of the scale and standard of the Tattersalls International Horse Trials are stark and the event could only take place annually due to the financial support and generosity of a cross section of supportive groups and individuals right across the industry led by Tattersalls Limited and The George Mernagh Memorial Fund. Sadly, support at the level required was never going to be sustainable in the long run and these challenges have been compounded further by the coronavirus outbreak earlier in the year. I would like to offer our sincere gratitude to anyone that has contributed to or participated in the event in any way over its lifespan. On a personal note, the event is rightly referred to as a celebration of the vision and passion of the late George Mernagh and it was a perfect monument to his memory in June each year. I believe that George would have been very proud of what the event became since 2006 and his legacy will continue to be appropriately honoured in future years through the ongoing work of the GMMF fund which was established in his memory – Roger Casey, finance director and company secretary of Tattersalls Ireland

Tattersalls is quite iconic. The amount and the quality of international competitors that it brings to Ireland is one of the things we will really miss. It is world class competition on our doorstep, and hopefully we can continue to attract that level of talent to Ireland. Big venues like Tatts with top class facilities bring that, and that is what we will miss – Sam Watson, Carlow international event rider

I had many great days at Tattersalls International, it is such a pity to see it go, so many people have Tatts as their ultimate goal, Tatts was their Olympics. Tatts International Horse Trials was very special and Tatts also has such great facilities, great stabling, car park, etc. so to see it go is very sad, a real shame – Sarah Ennis, international event rider.

It’s very sad news but under the circumstances, it’s very understandable. They should be very proud of themselves to have brought the event to one of the top international events in the calendar worldwide and it is renowned by all the international riders. I think everyone will have very happy memories from Tatts. It is very sad news, it will be sorely missed – Sneezy Foster of the David Foster Fund.