All roads lead to Millstreet Horse Show
The event has a huge reputation as a shop window for potential jumpers, eventers and leisure horses. Horses purchased over the years later went on to Olympic and other successes on the international jumping and eventing circuits for some of the best known riders.
Next week, some 7,500 horse and pony entries — 40% up on last year — have been received for 79 competitions in a packed programme which commences Wednesday and continues to Sunday.
These will take place in 11 outdoor and indoor arenas, in the 450 acre Green Glens complex, which also has six all weather surfaces and 1,450 stables.
Noel C Duggan, founder of the show, said the entries were so great this year that extra stables had to be provided at short notice.
“We needed an additional 250 stables. We searched all over Europe, and we eventually sourced them in Denmark.”
The Duggan family has also bought two new full sets of top quality fences from Germany for use at the show.
Next week’s events include specially structured competitions to discover potential Irish bred show jumpers and eventers, as well as plenty of competitive challenges for more experienced horses and riders, and a ladies championship.
The show will host two legs of the Boswell Grand Prix League, now entering its final stages, with the country’s top riders battling for the coveted title. Admission to the Millstreet show, first held in 1973, will be free.
Mr Duggan said the show fosters new friendships and camaraderie amongst show jumping enthusiasts.
“That is why we have arranged nightly entertainment as we believe we not deal only with show jumping, but with a social side as well,” he said.
