International Eventing Season Kicks Off at Barroca d’Alva

RLE’s Aspe and Carlchen exercising at Barroca d”Alva

Michelle Kenny will compete with RLE Aspe (Irish Nations Cup Team CCIO3* at Boekelo 2017) , her new partner RLE Carlchen and with the promising 7 y/o Voltaire gelding, RLE Nuans T Volt (winner of the CIC1* at Firle International 2017).

Patricia and Michael Ryan

Michael Ryan will be competing with: Matisse (12^th in the CIC1* at Millstreet International 20170 , Sir Charlie Brown (BY Classic Vision RID) and Dunlough Striker, (winner of the CCI3* at Millstreet 2016, winner of the CIC2* at Kilguilkey International in 2015 and 38^th at Badminton CCI4* in 2017)

Patricia Ryan competes with the 7 y/o Drumloman Lad (15^th in the CICYH1* 6yo  at Camphire International 2017) and Dunrath Eclipse (25^th in the CCI4* at Luhmuhlen 2017).

Aoife Clarke has Master Rory (10^th CCI3* at Camphire International 2017 and 13^th in Blenheim CCI3* 2017), Fernhill Adventure (winner of the A/CNC2* at Hambleden 2017), Calling Card (2^nd in the CIC2*YH) and Celus D’Ermac Z

Barroca d’Alva Event

The first event at Barroca d’Alva took place in 1997 as a national long format event, part of a Portuguese league sponsored by a national bank.

After 3 years of sponsorship the bank withdrew their sponsorship, but due to the immense popularity of the sport at a local level, several venues decided to continue.

The first International three day event in Portugal took place at Mata do Duque in 2000, and then again in 2001. The estate decided not to continue hosting further events, so the family at Barocca D’Alva stepped in to host the next event.  The family have had generations involved in three day eventing,  including the military rider Joaquin Miguel Duarte Silva who represented Portugal in no less that 4 Olympic Games (1952 Helsinki, 1956 Stockholm, 1960 Rome in eventing and 1964 Tokyo where he was placed 5th in showjumping), and is the uncle of Maria Graca Lupi and grandfather of eventer Joao Duarte Silva.

Other notable family connections to the sport include Maria’s brothers: Luis Lupi a former Portuguese National Champion and Jose Ricardo Lupi who is an assistant TD at this year’s event.

The inviting course is designed by Maria’s husband Nicholas Melbourne Hart.

Anthony Hart competing at Barroca d’Alva 2017

Carrying on the family tradition is their son, Anthony Hart who is competing at this year’s event and his younger sister Maria Grace who competes in juniors.

2018 will be the sixteenth International Event at Barroca d’Alva.