Photo: courtesy Tattersalls
Plenty of horse trucks have been heading over the water to Ireland in the past few days to compete at Ireland’s premier event, Tattersalls. As with many events recently, the event is being particularly well attended by international riders in the lead up to London 2012 and the cancellation of other major competitions
The main classes include a CCI 1*,2* and 3* plus a CIC 3* and there are UK based Australian and New Zealand riders in the start list
In the CCI 3* there are several Australian combinations including Catherine Burrell and Urzan, Matt Ryan on Bonza Moorabinda (yes, Matt is back riding for Australia), Bill Levett on Elite squad horses One Two Many NJ and Hippolyte and Brook Staples on Ever So Clever (Brook is actually listed as riding for the UK, so maybe he and Matt have swopped nationalities!)
Clayton Fredericks was to start on Waltersdown Don but his plans have changed after his fall at Saumur. According to the Team Fredericks website, Clayton will be doing some showjumping and dressage training this weekend with Gilbert and Brett then will head to Renswoude in the Netherlands to compete in the CIC3*** between the 7 – 10 June. Following this Bendigo is entered at the 3* at Luhmuhlen and Walterstown Don in the CCI4**** to hopefully qualify him.
There are obviously plenty of British and Irish riders competing including Zara Phillips on Silver Lining V while Kiwi riders include Lucy Jackson on Kilcoltrim Ambassador and Willy Do, Jonelle Richards on Mere Oak and Dan Jocelyn on Brookfield de Bouncer and Special Advocate
Chris Burton, fresh from victory at Saumur is riding in the CCI 2* on Underdiscussion and there are plenty of Kiwis in this class too including Mark Todd and another of our bloggers, Clarke Johnstone riding Regal Romar. Clarke and Chris are also riding in the large CCI 1* class; Chris riding Graf Liberty and Clarke riding Call me Al.
Last year's winner, William Fox-Pitt may be a bit sore but will be there again in 2012 Photo:Tattersalls
The CIC 3*sees William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning, Mark Todd on Major Milestone and Alice Montgomery from New Zealand on Gordon. William’s fall at Houghton Hall last weekend has apparently left him a little sore but, after help from his physio, he headed to Ireland a day later than planned but now feeling better
On their home ground the Irish riders will no doubt be looking to make their mark with the very popular Sam Watson riding Kilcotrim (CCI 1*), Camilla Speirs on BT Border Bandit in the CCI 2* U25 (amazing that she is only 22 years old) and Olympic hopefuls Capt. Geoff Curran on Shanaclough Crecora (CCI 3*), Aiofe Clark and Master Crusoe, Camilla and Portersize Just a Jiff and Michael Ryan with Ballylynch Adventure will be competing in the CIC 3*, to mention just a few.
No doubt the Guinness will be flowing and Libby Law is getting ready to start coverage of the event for An Eventful Life, starting with the trot up on Wednesday afternoon so get ready for another big weekend of international eventing coverage
In the meantime, check out some of the amazing fences these guys will face on the weekend on the ian Stark designed course, thanks to Cross Country App and Tattersalls. You can download this weekend's Tattersalls 3* CCI and CIC courses from http://crosscountryapp.com/courses.php5
OH BOY!!! Not, it's not a flying saucer, it's the Irish Field Mound jump!
