Millstreet saddles up for horse show

Millstreet International Horse Show begins today and it is big: 1,200 horses and ponies stabled on site, topped up by some 400 daily arrivals, accounting for more than 7,000 entries in the 93 contests at the Cork fixture.

With competitors and their families travelling from the four corners of the country, the logistics of the event are staggering. Up to 15,000 meals are expected to be served at the two restaurants, for which 600kg of potatoes will be needed, while about 5,000 servings of soup will be consumed over the five days.

Thirsts will also need to be quenched, and according to Tap-Class Bar Catering barman Denis Donnelly their initial stock includes 5,000 pints and 3,000 bottles of beer, as well as thousands of soft drinks. With not a hint of irony, he said: “We are expecting a very busy week.”