The USA's Will Coleman and Off The Record
Spectators got to watch 10 of the world’s top 20 riders amidst the multinational field of over 330 riders from 14 countries at Tattersalls on Saturday.
Because of the ever-increasing international entries from overseas, Tattersalls International Horse Trials were responsible for the largest movement of competition horses in one go across the Irish Sea earlier this week. Two ferries crossed from the UK to Dublin Port carrying over 70 lorries with 190 horses from 14 countries and the entire convoy made it into the Tattersalls stable yard for before rush hour at 6.30am last Tuesday morning!
Amidst the warm weather with bursts of sunshine on Saturday, the big crowd was treated to the ever exciting and popular Ian Stark designed cross-country course and some of the biggest jumps ever seen in Ireland – the main course today is the same length as an Aintree Grand National of four miles with 32 of the biggest fences ever seen in Ireland.
Guests enjoying the day were equestrian fans Minister Simon Coveney and well-known jockeys Robbie Power, Barry Geraghty, Gary Carroll, Paul Carberry as well as trainers Gordon Elliott, Jessica Harrington and Ross O’Sullivan along with Kate Harrington and Kevin O’Ryan from Racing TV.
The international sporting event with 17 Olympians and world stars amongst the 328 participants is one of the most important events in the Irish sporting calendar and this week spectators from 25 countries watched it live online up to yesterday evening. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the finale tomorrow consisting of more world-class cross-country action as well as show jumping with online ticket sales up 12% so far on last year
With some competitions reaching their finale today, the ground conditions were rated as perfect and the various cross-country courses proved quite challenging as expected si it’s all to play for in the feature competitions which finish on Sunday
The feature class, the Irish Field CCI4* cross country action took place today with US rider William Coleman leapfrogging from 6th to 1st with a faultless round on his Off The Record. Best of the Irish was Co Meath’s Elizabeth Power on her Samuel Thomas with a fantastic round over the big fences and improving from 21st position overnight to 6th going into show jumping tomorrow.
The George Mernagh Memorial CIC4*-S show jumping phase, New Zealand’s Tim Price retains his lead with Ascona M jumping with a minor penalty of 1.20 leaving him on a score of 27.10. Ireland’s Sam Watson moves up to fifth position with Imperial Sky on a score of 33.80.
The Eventing Ireland CCI3* long format sees legendary Team GB rider William Fox Pitt still in the lead after the second day’s action going into tomorrow’s show jumping on his Georgisaurous with a score of 20.5. Best of the Irish is Brian Morrison on Global Orchid improving from 8th position into 6th.
The Connolly’s Red Mills CCI3*L Under 25 competition has Go Galway’s Cathal Daniels still holding the lead and also second place with OLS Aragon and LED Lias Jewel on scores of 26.0 and 27.7 respectively.
Landrover CCI2* (L-R) 2nd placed Gemma Gurvidi on Dali 111, 1st placed John Paul Sheffield on Woodlander Vesuvio and 3rd placed Alexander Bragg on Shannondale Mari with Alex Flanagan of Landrover
In the Land Rover CCI2*L was completed today and the honours were taken English rider John Paul (JP) Sheffield on Woodlander Wesuvio with a score of 32.5 whilst best of the Irish was in 8th place with Fergal Nesbitt on Apollo Landing and a score of 34.1
The Cooley Farm CCIYH2* 6- & 7-year-old horses was won by Team GB’s Izzy Taylor on her Hartacker finishing on a score of 28.3. Co Meath’s Sarah Ennis was the best of the Irish in 3td place on her Shanbo Sky Fall finishing close by on a score 29.0.
Izzy Taylor wins again!
The Berney Brothers CCI2*L for Ponies was won by Grace Tyrell for Ireland on her Fiona’s Form with a score of 43.4.
The Horseware CCI2* long format for junior riders was won by Chloe Fagan for Ireland on Versace Biscuit on a score of 25.6 having picked up just 0.8 of a time fault cross country.
Chloe Fagan and Versace Biscuit
