Jackpot – Emily KING (GBR), winner of the CCI3*-L at Millstreet International Horse Trials 2023 (Photo: Geraldine Dennehy/Bit-Media)
The Millstreet International Horse Trials in Co Cork, Ireland (May 29-June 2) is one of the last chances for riders to seal their places in the Olympic eventing competition in Paris later this summer.
The popular Irish event has received a huge entry of nearly 400 horses from more than 15 nations.
Riders to look out for include the recent Badminton winner, New Zealander Caroline Powell, plus her compatriots Tim and Jonelle Price and Clarke Johnstone; Australia’s Christopher Burton, newly returned to eventing and with a new ride, Shadow Man; Emily King, who has been nominated for Britain’s Olympic squad; a strong American contingent and leading Irish riders Cathal Daniels, Sarah Ennis, Joseph Murphy and Sam Watson.
The overall prize fund, which covers every competition between CCI4*-L and CCI1*-Intro, which will have a prize pot of €3,000—has been increased to €35,000—plus Millstreet will host the Irish leg of the FEI Nations Cup team competition series, run at CCI4*-S.
In addition, for the first time in several years, the four and five-year-old equine stars of the future will be on parade in a Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse qualifier (Thursday, May 30) for the prestigious final at Defender Burghley Horse Trials in the UK on September 5.
The Duggan family’s magnificent Green Glens Arena has been hosting equestrian events for more than half a century and international eventing since 2015, popular with leading competitors for the expansive facilities which include eight all-weather arenas, beautifully prepared galloping cross-country courses, stunning views and traditional relaxed Irish welcome.
Nine nations are represented among an international line-up of officials, including Robert Stevenson from the US who will be officiating at the Olympic Games. The 4*and 3* cross-country courses are designed by Britain’s Mike Etherington-Smith, who has officiated at two Olympics and numerous five-stars, and Ireland’s Paul Brady will oversee the 2* and 1* tracks.
‘The arrival of so many leading figures in the international eventing world is a major highlight in the Irish calendar and we have been working hard to ensure some great competitions and a fun weekend,’ said event director Thomas Duggan.
