“IT’s so good to be back!” declared the CCI4*L winner Giovanni Ugolotti, and indeed that sentiment was echoed by the many that attended a highly successful event at Ballindenisk last weekend.

Run as the opening Irish international fixture of the season, and attracting a strong contingent from overseas, there was a full quota of well-filled classes and for the first time since the pandemic, it seemed that normal service was truly resumed. As the winner of the feature class, the Italian squad member was one of four overseas victors, but the spoils were shared as the home side delivered a raft of equally strong and exciting performances to fill the remainder.

The atmosphere was buzzy, and it would also not be an understatement to say that the new arena has elevated the event to a different level, and has completely transformed the infrastructure of the venue. Now well settled as part of an amphitheatre, with seating and catering along one side, it is the heart of the proceedings.

“The decision to site the arena where we have done, was a collaboration of thoughts from many in the Ballindenisk team and it has worked perfectly,” explained Peter Fell. “We wanted to create it as the event centre, and to try to base as much of the action around it. This time we also reversed the warm up and the show jumping areas, which proved excellent and makes it much more spectator friendly. It is close to the stables, the catering facilities, and in view of much of the cross-country action as well.”

Another enhancement on site was the appearance of a sparkling new set of show jumps, courtesy of Eventing Ireland. “Eventing Ireland have secured funding for five sets of show jumps, and dressage arenas for the use of Eventing Ireland events around the country and it is much appreciated,” commented Fell.

Reflecting on the event as a whole, the Fell family can give themselves a pat on the back. The going was perfect, and the tracks worked well. The times across the country were not tight in the feature classes, but as Fell explained: “It’s a very galloping track, and that coupled with near perfect ground, meant that the time was very gettable. The feedback was good however, and the change at the first water worked out nicely.”

Fell also paid tribute to ‘his great team’ at Ballindenisk and singled out Cathal Daniels’s PA Karen Chapman for her assistance with the paperwork for travelling riders on Sunday. “Karen went above and beyond the call on duty. She was a complete star and spent most of the day making sure those travelling back to England had everything correct.”

One familiar character who was notable by his absence out on track was host Robert Fell who came home from a spell in hospital on the Friday. It was good to hear Peter report however, that the ‘The Boss’ is much improved since returning and is doing well. He was missed, and we all wish him a speedy recovery.

On the health and safety note and as a final piece of housekeeping, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Mary Flannery, especially requested that riders and their connections are aware that under FEI rules, bicycles are not permitted anywhere in the cross-country area.