AMIDST all the despondency and confusion surrounding events in the south of the country, it is extremely heartening to report that next week’s (April 23rd-27th) spring international at Ballindenisk promises to be a real showcase of world-class eventing.

At the time of writing, the healthy entry list features individuals from 12 nations, among whom are 13 of the world’s top 100 ranked riders. Holding multiple entries are the current Badminton title holder Caroline Powell from New Zealand, Britain’s Tom Jackson and Izzy Taylor, as well as our own Jennifer Kuenhle and Susie Berry.

Team Japan, bronze medallists at last year’s Paris Olympic Games, are well-represented by Ryuzo Kitajima and Toshiyuki Tanaka, while other nations competing in number include America, Italy, Hong Kong, Australia and France. Completing a truly international line up, there are also individual entries from Spain, Morocco, India and New Zealand.

Making up the bulk of the runners, the home team hold an exceptionally strong hand. Spearheaded by our Badminton-bound riders, it will be exciting to see last year’s Badminton runners-up Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint make their final preparation for this year’s challenge, as it will fellow travellers Jennifer Kuenhle (Sammy Davis Junior), Darragh Byrne (Kilcannon Ramiro), Sam Watson (Ballyneety Rocketman), Sarah Ennis with Grantstown Jackson and also Patrick Whelan, who is currently first reserve with Ikoon Lan.

Looking forward to next week’s action, Ballindenisk’s Peter Fell is understandably upbeat. “We couldn’t be more delighted with the entries and especially in the long format four-star, which is probably the biggest we have ever had,” he commented. “In terms of preparation, the weather has been ideal. Rain is forecast this week followed by a dry week for the event, but whatever the scenario, we have water on hand to use if necessary and, of course, we will aggravate.”

Course changes

Fell went on to add that the riders will notice plenty of changes in the feature courses and this is largely due to the imagination and expertise of visiting designer Helen West. Devon-based West, who of course is married to Peter’s brother Andrew, is fast becoming one of the most popular of the ‘new guard’ of designers and whose increasing design commitments now extend to America.

“Helen is in charge of both four-star tracks and has definitely put her own stamp on them,” explained Fell. “There are several strong combinations and its going to be ‘up there’ in terms of difficulty.”

Fell himself will be in charge of the one and three-star courses while, making up the quota, Dereck Hamilton will be at the helm of the two-star.

At this stage in the season, the favourites are hard to call, but in the NutriScience supported CCI4*, the odds would favour Izzy Taylor with Happy Days. The pair were the runners-up in the equivalent class last September, but this time around the field is significantly larger and notably stronger.

Taylor’s compatriot Tom Jackson will be the one to watch and, on the back of some recent good form, he looks well mounted with the Irish-bred Hawk Eye.

Fielding a total of five very competitive runners, the home team will pose a serious challenge. Travelling from his home in Devon, Padraig McCarthy could go well with the exciting MGH Zabalone, as could fellow British-based riders Georgie Goss, who teams up with her Blenheim runner-up Kojak, and Danielle McCormack aboard Hildare Billy Orinoco.

Completing the quintet, the winning machine that is Ian Cassells (Millridge Atlantis) can never be discounted, while the dark horse could be Susie Berry who is returning to top form with her five-star veteran John The Bull.

Irish interest

The main Irish interest, however, will focus on the short format four-star, also sponsored by NutriScience, in which a raft of Badminton hopefuls will make their final runs. While none of these will probably be out to win, their performances will be a strong indication of their progress and their chances in the Gloucestershire showcase in just over two weeks’ time.

So, looking at the remainder it is Izzy Taylor who stands out, this time with the Irish-bred SBH Big Wall. Winners at the same level at Lisgarvan last summer, the pair have produced double clear rounds at all their events this spring and look to be the ones to beat. Tom Jackson rides the smart four-star campaigner HH Moonwalk, while Irish Olympians Susie Berry and Sarah Ennis both have solid chances with Ringwood LB and Dourough Ferro Class Act. The former has enjoyed two good placings this spring while the latter picked up a smart top-10 placing in a massive CCI3* class at Thoresby.

The remaining classes include long and short format at two and three-star level, as well as an Intro and a CCIP2*-L.

Away from the competitive action, the infrastructure remains the same. The spectator-friendly hub around the arenas will offer the same delicious food and, for riders, Landrover Defender are very generously gifting all runners with an action photograph as a memento of the event.