Traffic was halted and the people of Millstreet came out in their hundreds to wave flags and cheer the 39 riders competing in the FEI Eventing Championship U25 as they paraded around the town, led by an Irish pipe band.

Bernard Moynahan, Mayor of the County of Cork, declared the Championship officially open as his old schoolfriend, the musician Liam O’ Connor, entertained an appreciative crowd at the Duggan family’s Green Glens Arena which first opened in 1979.

‘A huge thanks to the Duggan family for everything they have done for Millstreet,’ said Mr Moynahan. ‘We welcome competitors from 14 nations and every corner of the globe to this landmark event and we wish you every success.

‘Events like this do not simply happen – there is a lot of work behind the scenes and we recognise also the community of Millstreet, its volunteerism and ability to hold world-class events. This is another chapter in the history of Millstreet.’