Millstreet International Horse Trials 2019 – The Final Day
Under bright skies the final day of the Millstreet International Horse Show dawned.
Georgia Bartlett (GBR) won the Horse Sport Ireland CCI 3* L after jumping a great clear round this morning in the Green Glens Arena.
Georgia, aged 19, got her week in Millstreet off to a winning start when she picked up one of the best turned out combination awards at the First Horse Inspection – sponsored by Connolly’s RED MILLS. Two-time Junior European Eventing medalist, she is based in Newbury, Berkshire. The clear round over the James Tarrant designed showjumping track saw Georgia rise from 5th to the top of the podium.
Overnight leader Harry Meade (GBR) rolled two poles to finish 3rd. One fence down on his 2nd place horse was enough for him to maintain that position. Michael McNally finished best of the Irish challengers in 4th overall.
The action moved on to the Noel C. Duggan Engineering CCI4* L and there was a real international flavour to the final leaderboard with 5 nations represented in the top 6; Australia, Japan, Ireland, the USA and Great Britain. Lawton Chloe ridden by Christopher Burton (AUS) won the section after jumping an immaculate clear round. Joint owner, Australian Carolyn Townsend, runs an event back home and the course is built by…….. Mike Etherington-Smith. Carolyn and fellow owner Sue were making their first trip to Millstreet and vowed to return! They left the prize giving to celebrate with some lovely Tipperary Crystal gin glasses.
Meanwhile over at Drishane Castle the final section of cross country for the Eventing Ireland CCI 3*S. Kevin McNab (AUS) won riding Fernhill Tabasco. A fast clear round saw him finish ahead of Millie Dumas (GBR) and Daniel Brown was the top Irish rider in 3rd. Kevin finished 4th for good measure. Kevin has won more vital points to maintain his position at the head of the leaderboard for the €10k Horse Sport Ireland Eventing Challenge 2019 with the final standings to be decided at Ballindenisk International Horse Trials in late September.
As the last of over 300 horseboxes exited the Green Glens Arena on Sunday evening, Event Director Thomas Duggan was grateful to all those that pulled together to make the event happen.
On Tuesday morning we asked for the co-operation and support of those coming to Millstreet and everybody delivered. Our crew on the ground, led by Mike Etherington-Smith pulled out all the stops to ensure that the event went ahead as planned and we have experienced world-class competition at every level. The Event Rider Masters brought a new dimension to eventing in Millstreet and engaged viewers and supporters of the sport around the world. We are extremely grateful to all the owners, riders, grooms, officials, volunteers and supporters that played their part during the past 5 days and are already looking forward to 2020 when hopefully we will enjoy more favourable weather conditions.
