All set for Camphire International Horse Trials and Country fair

In total, there more than 360 horses entered for Camphire international Horse Trials and Country fair 23/07/2015 to the 26/07/2015, almost 100 of them from abroad. Competitors hail from 10 nations, including Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, the United States; and of course there is a very large Irish entry.

Overview
Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair runs seven international classes on the spectacular parkland of Camphire House and the Browne family farm on the Blackwater River in County Waterford.

This year more than 350 horses are registered to compete, including almost 100 from abroad, representing some of the best riders and horses from 10 nations. More than 240 horses will be stabled onsite.

Camphire’s feature class is the GAIN/Alltech CIC***, which attracts a great deal of international interest with a cross-country course by Olympic course designer Mike Etherington-Smith. Camphire’s six additional international classes run over undulating terrain make it a premiere trial and development venue for horses and riders.

In keeping with Camphire’s commitment to be a top-notch trial and development venue, the aim of every jumping course is to give horses and riders a positive experience in the lead up to championships and autumn three-day events; the courses are very much built with the autumn events in mind. A number of competitors at Camphire will be aiming for the European Championships in September, and several team selectors will be at Camphire.

History
Camphire International Horse Trials was founded by Susie Dobbs – the former owner of Camphire House – and Irish International Eventer Van de Vater following a light-hearted luncheon conversation. The first event ten years ago was a small affair for friends and friends of friends, but it has since grown into one of Ireland’s most important international events. Susie Dobbs and Van de Vater founded the event as a gift to the community, and ran it on an entirely volunteer basis. The growth and huge success of Camphire from these altruistic roots is even more remarkable as the event continues to be run largely by volunteers, who generously give time and resources to keep this unique event thriving. Susie Dobb’s great-nephew, Henry Wilks, now owns Camphire, and wholeheartedly supports the event, as do the Browne family.

Honorary Chairman and event co-Founder Van de Vater: “It is six years since Susie Dobbs died, and she is greatly missed. Susie’s great love for Camphire, farming her Short- Horn Cattle, and hunting absorbed her whole life. At a luncheon party given many years ago by Capt. Glen Brown, a former Master of the United Hounds, to celebrate the purchase of the famous steeplechaser Arkle for Nancy Duchess of Westminster, it was suggested in conversation that Camphire would be an excellent site for a horse trial.”

John Wright, retired Chairman Eventing Ireland: “The international at Camphire came about as a result of the foresight and vision of Van de Vater and Allen and Paul Brady and the generosity of Susie Dobbs and her successor and great-nephew Henry Wilkes, the current owner of the house. It started as a national level event and they have patiently grown the venue to the much-admired international-standard horse trials we have today. The natural terrain of Camphire naturally lends itself to what is required for a top-level international horse trials.”

22nd -26th July 2015 Schedule
Weds 22nd
Trot up and veterinary inspection in front of Camphire House.
Cappoquin, Co Waterford, Ireland

Thurs 23rd
9 am: Dressage

Friday 24th
9 am: Dressage

Saturday 25th
9 am: Showjumping and cross-country
6:30 pm: 4-year-old Masterclass

Sunday 26th
9 am: 5-year-old Masterclass. Show-jumping and cross-country continues;
GAIN/Alltech CIC*** Cross-country from 1:30 pm
1:30 pm: The GAIN pet food Dog Show

Camphire International Horse Trials Classes
GAIN/Alltech CIC***

The GAIN/Alltech CIC*** is Camphire’s feature class. With a cross-course designed by Mike Etherington-Smith – who regularly designs at CCI 4**** level for events such as Rolex Kentucky, the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games – the class attracts a great deal of international interest. The class has several innovative fences including one made from an enormous fallen tree.
GAIN/Alltech CIC*** Quotes:

GAIN Horse Feeds customer and Irish Olympic eventer Joseph Murphy: “It’s a super class at a super event. The facilities are top-notch and the setting around Camphire House on the Blackwater River is stunning. It’s a great combination for competitors and spectators.”

Event Director Paul Brady: “Mike Etherington-Smith has designed another fantastic course that asks riders and horses some questions, but provides every opportunity for success. Most importantly we all want horses and riders to benefit from their ride and to come home feeling good and confident.”
Castleacre Insurance Brokers CCI**
The Castleacre Insurance Brokers CCI** is Camphire’s one of Camphire’s long-format international class (All CCI classes are long format).
Land Rover CCI*
Another long-format class
Bucas Young Rider CIC**
Camphire has established itself as a very important opportunity for Irish riders to show themselves in front of team selectors, especially for the Junior and Young Rider squads. The Team Ireland Equestrian Junior squad used this class for final team trial in 2013 before going on to win a gold medal at the European Championships. These squads will again be using Camphire this year as their final trials before selection for their respective European Championships.
Horse Sport Ireland Young Horse CIC*
Camphire is an important development venue for young horses too. This class is for 6- and 7-year-old, and will be a good indicator for those seeking selection for the World Breeding Championships.
West Waterford CIC*
Eventing Ireland CIC**
These are ideal classes for developing combinations, as they are short-format.
Irish Horse Gateway Masterclasses
The 4- and 5-year-old horses in the Irish Horse Gateway Masterclasses will be assessed on their confirmation, flatwork, a short showjumping course and an inviting short course of cross-country obstacles. This class is a showcase for the best young Irish event horses.
Competitors & Entries
Last year was a record year for entries at Camphire, and this has continued for 2015, with entries up again. Over 50 of these entries are for the GAIN/Alltech CIC***, guaranteeing great cross-country action on Sunday.
In total, there more than 360 horses entered, almost 100 of them from abroad. Competitors hail from 10 nations, including Great Britain, Sweden, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong, the United States; and of course there is a very large Irish entry.

Notable competitors include:

Zara Phillips, MBE, has been Eventing World Champion, won Silver at the London 2012 Olympics, and Team Silver at the World Equestrian Games 2014.

Jonathan (Jock) Paget is a New Zealander who won Team Bronze at the London 2012 Olympics. In 2013 he became only the second rider ever to win Badminton Horse Trials on his debut Badminton outing. He is currently ranked 22nd in the world.

Nicola Wilson competed on the Silver-winning British Team at the London 2012 Olympian and the Silver-winning team at the World Equestrian Games 2014. This year, she has won the 3***s at Bramham, and Houptoun; she also won Houptoun in 2014. She is currently ranked 10th in the world.

Christopher ‘Burto” Burton represented Australia at the London 2012 Olympics, and is ranked 30th in the world. He spent his childhood on a grain and cattle farm in Brymaroo,
where he came up through the Brymaroo Pony Club ranks.

Joseph Murphy is the highest-ranked Irish eventer, at number 35 in the world. He competed on the Irish team in the London 2012 Olympics and the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Born in Mullinagar, Westmeath, Joseph has an identical twin brother, and postponed his wedding to take part in the London Olympics.

Ireland’s Sam Watson won the Camphire’s Castleacre Insurance Brokers and Chubb
Insurances CIC*** in 2014, before going on to represent Ireland in the World Equestrian
Games in Normandy. His second son Toby was born just days before Camphire began.

Patricia ‘Trish” & Michael Ryan are the one of only a handful of couples in the world that
compete side by side at international level. They have represented Ireland at the European Championships, World Equestrian Games, and Olympic Games, including London 2012,when Michael was part of the Irish team that finished 4th overall.

Country Fair
The tented village at Camphire continues to grow with even more trade stands planned for this year, including Berneys Saddles and many others. In addition there will be entertainment for the whole family, including

• Face painting,
• Bouncy castle
• Climbing wall
• Birds of Prey display

The Gain Dog Show will run on Sunday at 1:30 pm.

• Tradestands include:
  Lismore Heritage Centre’s ‘Retail Experience’ with special event offers,
• ISPCA,
• Ivor Young Equine Services,
• Elm Tree Farm,
• Blackwater Salmon /seafood ,
• Wok n Roll,
• Hammockology,
• Bucas ,
• Gain/Alltech,
• H&S Basketware Youghal,
• Aisling Murphy Bags ,
• AIB,
• Obriens Saddlery ,
• Redweld Stable Doors ,
• Eilish Sheehan Jewelery ,
• Greenhills fruit farm ,
• Butlers ice cream ,
• Man of Aran fudge,
• Coffee express,
• Flynns Sausages ,
• Berney Saddlery ,
• Summerhouse Lismore,
• Packman Pizza,
• Candy Rock Lane ,
• Carrig Timber,
• Simon Fraser Plants ,
• Harmony Feeders,
• Trish Dog Grooming Dungarvan ,
• Helen’s Catering Knockanore ,
• Baldwin Ice Cream

Sponsors
GAIN/Alltech, Castleacre Insurance, Land Rover, Horse Sport Ireland, Irish Horse Gateway,
Eventing Ireland, Goresbridge, Bucas
GAIN HORSE Feeds Ireland Country Manager Joanne Hurley: “GAIN Horse Feeds are
delighted to be joining forces with Alltech to sponsor the GAIN/Alltech CIC*** class. As
official feed consultants to Team Ireland Equestrian and with many customers involved in the
eventing sector, through breeding and competition, we feel it is important to show them our
support. I’m really looking forward to the event and wish all competitors every success at
Camphire Horse Trials 2015.’’
Alltech Regional Sales Manager Fergal McAdam: “Camphire is a fantastic and unique
event and we are delighted to continue our support of equestrian sport in Ireland following on
from the success of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy last year.”
Castleacre’s Appointed Representative in Ireland Mark Hewlett: “Camphire has a very
special atmosphere which everyone seems to enjoy. It has grown tremendously over the last
few years and has become a key international event and we are delighted to support it.”
Director of International Marketing Horse Sport Ireland Elaine Hatton: “Horse Sport
Ireland and the Irish Horse Gateway initiative are delighted to be supporting the 4- and 5-
year old Masterclasses at the Camphire International event. These Masterclasses give
producers, riders and international visitors an opportunity to view the strength and depth of
talent coming through in the sport. It is a great shop window for our horses at a well established
and well-attended international event.”

Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Mayor John Cummins: “Camphire International Horse Trials &
Country Fair is a very important event in the annual Waterford Calendar of Festivals &
Events. As well as attracting a large Irish audience, the horse trials attract hundreds of
overseas visitors, with competitors travelling from all over the world. This event, which is
growing annually, is making a significant contribution to the economy of West Waterford.”
Cappoquin, Co Waterford, Ireland
Links
Contact: Marianne van Pelt mvpmuse@yahoo.com/+(0)871388407/+(0)2836769
http://www.eventingireland.com/Events.aspx?context=showdetail&eventid=7297
Photos: Dan McGrath http://editorialimages.zenfolio.com/p47934500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camphire-International-Horse-Trials-
Festival/465617033517450
Website: www.camphirehorsetrials.com