Eventers invited to visit Ireland
Event riders are being invited to travel to the Emerald Isle for an early spring run as popular events, including Weston Park and Bradwall, continue to suffer from heavy balloting with riders being turned away due to over subscription.
The organisers of the brand new Ballygraffan one-day event are offering a unique deal, including free return transport and free stabling, to British riders competing at the event on 24 April, which is located in beautiful undulating country.
The event is taking place at Comber, about 10mile from the Port of Belfast and 30mile from the Port of Larne, and is holding open intermediate, intermediate and novice sections.
Competitors who make the journey can look forward to being among the first to ride the brand new cross-country course, which was designed by Hugh Lochore and build by the Willis brothers, as well as a traditional Irish welcome.
Event secretary Margaret Spiers explains: “Irish riders regularly travel to Britain to compete and we would like to encourage British competitors to come and enjoy of taste of Irish eventing at this wonderful brand-new event.”
The organisers are offering:
- Free “return” lorry travel, paid for by Eventing Ireland Northern Region, providing lorries are filled to a “reasonable” capacity. For further details contact Harold Lusk of Lusk Transport (tel: 028 9263 8836)
- Free stabling, as close as possible to the event
- Any points and or prize money awarded will be accredited to the horse’s British Eventing records
- There will be a “day ticket” fee of £5, added to the entry fee
- Irish hospitality will be offered to all travelling to Ballygraffan
“On behalf of the Ballygraffan organising committee, we look forward to welcoming as many British riders and horses as possible to our event,” says Jean Mitchell of Ballygraffan.
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The official closing date for entries is Saturday 17 April, although entries arriving on Monday morning (19 April) will be accepted. For more details, contact event secretary Margaret Spiers (tel: 028 4482 8734).
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.