WITH two international fixtures on the calendar this year instead of the traditional single event, 2026 promises to be a landmark season for the Green Glens Arena. Despite taking place slightly earlier in the year and featuring only short-format classes, the opening week at Millstreet lost none of its quality, attracting a strong field of competitors from across the sport. Challenging recent weather conditions created difficulties for the organising team in the lead-up, but credit must go to all involved as both the Green Glens Arena and Drishane Castle were once again presented to their usual high standard.

The Noel C. Duggan Structural Steel CCI4*-S produced an international finish headed by New Zealand star Jonelle Price and the classy grey Senor Crocodillo, who delivered the only sub-40 finishing score of the competition. The 12-year-old gelding, owned by the rider, Alexander Giannamore and Joseph Giannamore, has two top-15 finishes at CCI5*-L level last year at Pau and Luhmuhlen and was already listed among New Zealand’s FEI-qualified championship combinations prior to this weekend’s victory.