Numbers tell the story at Millstreet
The star lineout at the Cork venue will feature two members of the team that won last Friday’s Furusiyya Series Nations Cup at Dublin Horse Show, Greg Broderick and Cian O’Connor.
Both have also been selected among the five to represent Ireland at next week’s European Championships.
O’Connor said Millstreet provided an opportunity for every grade of horse and rider.
“Millstreet is a superb show to develop both horse and rider, while also offering an opportunity to introduce horses to competition at a higher level.
“I travel to Millstreet on Saturday after Good Luck leaves for the Europeans and intend to ride a greener horse, the nine-year-old mare Be Gentle, in the grand prix. In the meantime, Ross Mullholland will fly the Karlswood flag, while also coaching two of my students there, Emily Short and Lillie Keenan, both from the US.”
Tipperary native Broderick brings Rincarina and Golden Exchange to Millstreet.
Also among the strong Irish contingent is Dermott Lennon, fresh from his hat-trick of international wins at Dublin, and local favourite, Billy Twomey, who also scored a win at Dublin with Ardcolum Duke.
Cameron Hanley and Clem McMahon will also vie for the generous prizfund, but will face stiff opposition from the nine riders in the top 10 on the national rankings travelling south, while Thomas Ryan returns to defend his grand prix title, with €50,000 on offer for this year’s feature competition on Sunday.
The British representatives include Laura Renwick with Rembrandt Blue, her derby winner at the recent five-star show in Dinard, France.
Riders from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Spain and the USA will also be hoping to take home a share of the spoils.
The first of the international classes is scheduled for tomorrow, with a grand prix qualifier and a two-phase speed class, while Saturday sees the Millstreet Masters and the Speed Derby.
Young horse classes include the Young Irelander, for three-year-old horses, the National Discovery for four-year-olds, and the highly-regarded Boomerang, for horses aged six and seven, which in the past has indentified some of the best young stock in the country.
Millstreet also hosts the final of the HSI sport horse foal championship, with €10,000 in prizemoney.
As is traditional, entry is free throughout the show.
Meanwhile, O’Connor and Broderick and the other two show jumpers that secured victory in last Friday’s nations cup in Dublin have been selected to carry Irish hopes at next week’s European Championships.
While Wexford’s 20-year-old Bertram Allen rode the veteran Romanov in Dublin, it is no surprise to see the world number five named with the superb Molly Malone V.
He will be joined at the championships in Aachen, Germany, by fellow Dublin team members Broderick (MHS Going Global), Offaly’s Darragh Kenny (Sans Soucis Z) and Olympic bronze medalist O’Connor (Good Luck).
Tipperary’s Denis Lynch (All Star 5) also gets the nod from Ireland manager Robert Splaine.
The championships represent the last chance for Ireland to book a place at next year’s Olympics, though Splaine told the Irish Examiner, following last Friday’s victory, that “definitely, there is the possibility of a medal”.
The trip to Rio de Janeiro will be achieved if Ireland can finish the championships among the three countries not already qualified for the Games. The Netherlands, France, Germany, and France have secured their ticket, with defending Olympic champions Britain among those vying with Ireland for the last three places up for grabs.
The championships will run from Aug 19-23.
