The definite entries are in, the Official Programme has gone to print and the final preparations are underway in Co. Cork, Ireland as the Duggan Family and the Millstreet Organising Committee get set to welcome nearly 140 athletes from 16 different nations for the 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders and Juniors presented by Connolly’s RED MILLS.

The 2017 Championships will embrace some of the latest technological innovations that will further enhance the experience for both athletes and spectators. Owing to commercial restrictions outside of the control of the Millstreet OC, it will sadly not be possible to broadcast live video coverage from the 2017 Championships. However, those unable to attend the Green Glens Arena or Drishane Castle Demesne will be able to stay right up to date thanks to the live results service provided by German data handling company Rechenstelle.de together with Loosen Turnierservice. For the first time in Millstreet, the dressage phase will take place in the centre of the International Arena and live scores from the three ground jury members will appear on the ‘big screen’ after each movement, as well as through the Rechenstelle website (accessible via www.millstreet.horse/eu2017).

On Cross-Country day, the action moves across the road to the Drishane Castle Demesne. Once again, the Championship scoring team will be able to give a provisional score immediately after each horse passes through the finish flags and with the use of microchip timing, the results have never been more accurate. The Millstreet commentary team of Chris Ryan and Tom Busteed will broadcast the scores to those attending the Championships and anyone around the world who tunes in to the audio stream that will be available through the Championship website from 09.00 (GMT+1) on Saturday 22^nd July.

In a further innovation for the 2017 Championships, Millstreet has teamed up with ‘Cross Country App’ to provide a new way of interacting with the Junior and Young Rider cross country courses. From Wednesday 19^th July, athletes, coaches and supporters will be able to view the Championship courses free of charge on any smartphone, tablet or PC. The interactive cross country maps will allow anyone to virtually walk the course, viewing images of each fence with an exclusive commentary provided by Championship Course Designer, Mike Etherington-Smith. This allows athletes to plan their ride, taking into account where they need to be on the course at any given time if they are aiming to finish within the optimum time. The interactive cross country maps will also be available to view anywhere in the world through the Championship website and on the website of the official Championship Media Partner, The Irish Field.

The Championship action will come to a nail-biting conclusion in the Show-Jumping Arena on Sunday 23^rd July and Rechenstelle will once again be on hand to deliver live scoring on the video screen, online and to the television screens in the various marquees and facilities at the Green Glens Arena. Social Media Updates from across the week will be posted on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram while a Championship newsletter, ‘The Millstreet Times’ will be published by the Press Centre team and made available in the office every morning, keeping athletes and visitors up to date with progress in each Championship and some exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ interviews and images.

Athletes and their connections will be able to purchase comprehensive video coverage of their performance across all three phases thanks to the service provided by Studio Brink, who will also produce video highlights after the event. Official Championship photographer JumpinAction will ensure that all the action is captured on camera, with images available to purchase on site or online after the event.

The combination of live scoring, audio commentary and social media posts will ensure that real-time coverage of Millstreet 2017 is just a click away.

Further information is available on www.millstreet.horse/eu2017