The sun shone brightly on the huge crowds who travelled to the Green Glens Arena in Co. Cork for the opening day of competition at the Millstreet International Horse Show 2012.
Since Sunday afternoon, over 1,200 horses have been arriving in the Co. Cork town; travelling from across the country and following the return to International status for the first time in 12 years, riders from 6 different nations have made the journey. Foreign visitors include Global Champions Tour winner Roger-Yves Bost, dual championship rider Juan Carlos Garcia, three times Hickstead Derby winner William Funnell, European Team Bronze medallist Guy Williams, former showjumping world champion Dermott Lennon and GBI Tour contenders Joe Clayton, Conor Swail and Joan Greene.
Action got underway this morning with the “Goresbridge Horse Sales” Boomerang Qualifier where just 11/100 of a second separated the eventual winner Hayley Dunne and “Arendsoog B” from 2nd placed Peig Van Amerongen with “Bolandro”. The top 16 placed horses will join tomorrow’s qualfiers in the final which takes place on Sunday afternoon.
The feature class this afternoon; the National Eventing Discovery was won in by style by former Irish Olympian and 2012 First Reserve for the eventing team, Capt. Geoff Curran and “The Jump Jet.” The course caused its fair share of problems for both the 6YO+ section and the 4 and 5 year old classes that followed. Course designer Danny Dulohery of Kilguilkey House was happy with the way riders tackled his 17 fence course which covered just over 1km; “The ground held up very well and the results show that for a competition with such a generous prize fund, riders couldn’t come expecting a walk in the park!”
Away from the showjumping action, an air of anticipation hung over the 5,000 strong crowd with events at the London Olympics close to everyones mind. News of the Irish success stories featuring Katie Taylor and Millstreet regular Cian O’ Connor quickly reverberated around the Green Glens Arena.
The show continues tomorrow (Thursday) with a wide range of classes including the 1.50m International Grand Prix Qualifier and the first of two “Connolly’s Red Mills Munster Showjumping League stages to take place at Millstreet this week. If you’re looking for a family day out with free admission, world-class showjumping, a wide range of trade exhibitors (including saddlery, leisurewear and footwear, pet accessories and more) and updates from the London Olympics, then look no further than the Millstreet International Horse Show and take the opportunity to get behind the Irish team!