Thousands gallop to equestrian showdown

A HUGE surge in tourist numbers is expected next month as one of the world’s biggest equestrian events comes to Co Kildare.

The double European championships at Punchestown, running from September 18 to 21, is expected to add tens of thousands of euro to the local economy.

Overseas visitors engaged in equestrian pursuits in Ireland add €38 million to the economy annually.

The championships were announced at the Dublin Horse Show yesterday. Organisers, headed by chairman Avril Doyle and chief executive Tim Phillips, said the event would be a festival of great distinction.

It will be the first time that two Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) championships will be held concurrently at the same venue.

The Fáilte Ireland and IFG events and Emirates Airline open endurance championships will form the centrepiece of the show, which will cost an estimated €2 million.

Government support is being provided through the International Sports Tourism Initiative co-ordinated by Fáilte Ireland as part of a programme to build Ireland’s reputation as a premier sporting holiday destination.

Arts, Sports and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said the benefits for Ireland of hosting such prestigious events will be immense.

“For three days in September, Ireland can showcase our world-class equestrian product to the international media, overseas spectators and to a potential television audience of millions,” he said.

Fáilte Ireland’s industry marketing services manager Tony Donegan said Ireland had excellent year-round equestrian facilities and a wide variety of top class equestrian holiday options. “We are now making a concertedeffort to ensure that Ireland is placed firmly to the forefront of the minds of the international equestrian community as a quality destination,” he said.

Punchestown, which has recently undergone a €20 million refurbishment, will have a course specially designed for the event by Tommy Brennan.

It will feature fences themed on Ireland’s cultural history.

Some 120 horses are expected to take part in the endurance event and will be run over 12 hours on a course that will cover 160 kilometres in Kildare and through the Wicklow Hills.