The SemaLease Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair starts this week, running from Wednesday 25th to Sunday 29th of July. The event has attracted a strong international field. Such is the popularity of this event, that available places filled up quickly and a lengthy wait list had to be drawn up.
Work has been taking place on the course over several weeks, to ensure that the ground will be in top condition in spite of the Irish heatwave.
The feature class is the Sema Lease CCI3* which will see entries from Great Britain, New Zealand, Japan, China and Brazil, as well as a very strong Irish entry.
Kevin McNabb and Willunga at Kilguilkey International
Australia’s Kevin McNabb I who took the top two slots in last year’s CIC2*, as well as winning the recent Kilguilkey International CIC2*, returns to compete in the GAIN Equine Nutrition CIC2* with his Kilguilkey winner, Willunga. Kevin will be really challenging to win this class as he is the current leader in the Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge, which offers a bonus of €10,000 euros to any rider who finishes on the podium at any three of the 2* International Eventing competitions held in Ireland this year. The final leg of the challenge will be held at the Ballindenisk international in September.
There will be a chance to watch many of our WEG team in the Cahervillahow CIC3* on Sunday: Padraig McCarthy with Mr Chunky, Cathal Daniels with Rioghan Rua and Sarah Ennis with Horseware Stellor Rebound as well as team reserves, Ciaran Glynn with November Night and Joseph Murphy with Sportsfield Othello.
The CIC3* will also see a strong New Zealand challenge, with four times Olympic Gold medallist Blyth Tait with Leo Distinction, Tim Price with Bango and Ringwood Sky Boy, this year’s Badminton winner Jonelle Price with Cooley Showtime, James Avery with Optimus Prime. Lissa Green with Med Night Trafford Mignonette, will represent Australia.
Kazuma Tomoto with Bernadette Utopia represents Japan and Alex Hua Tian with PSH Convivial represents China., French entry is Baptiste Salaun with Syrius Des Nouelles, and Alberto Giugni and Mischievous represent Italy.
Great Britain will be represented by Francis Whittington_Nimrod II, Grace Taylor with Uncanny, Sian Coleman with Kilroe Hero, Melissa Townshend with Straight Choice, David Doel with Mr Hiho, Emma Hyslop-Webb with Ducatti, and Melanie Wilder with Trefeinon Red Kite.
Spectators will be able to combine the excitement of all the equestrian action, with great food, shopping and family fun in the beautiful grounds of the historic Camphire House on the Blackwater River.
