INTERNATIONAL eventing makes a welcome return to Co Waterford next week, where the team at the popular Camphire Horse Trials are gearing up for their eighth renewal.

Moving into exciting new territory, the long format GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech CCI3* has been added to the schedule, and this showcase together with a variety of supporting classes has attracted riders from all corners of the globe. There is the usual strong entry from Britain, but challenging will be an impressive group of southern hemisphere riders, as well as runners from America, Finland and Ireland.

Heading this star studded line-up and making her first appearance at the picturesque venue is British squad member Izzy Taylor. An enduring and successful supporter of Irish events, Taylor travels with four horses and will be joined by fellow internationals Francis Whittingham, Nicky Roncoroni and Tom McEwen.

These high profile performers spearhead a further group of British internationals among whom are Louise Harwood, Lissa Green and Holly Woodhead. From Australia, the Camphire specialist and Irish horse supporter Kevin McNab accompanies his wife Emma, while flying the New Zealand flag are four-star riders Jesse Campbell and Megan Heath. America is also well represented by Olympian Kim Severson, as well as Co Wicklow-based Brianne Stanley.

Not to be outdone, the home side fields an equally strong entry including senior riders Sam Watson, Sarah Ennis, Aoife Clark, Cathal Daniels, Ciaran Glynn, Michael Ryan, Patricia Ryan, Camilla Speirs and Padraig McCarthy.

The entries are spread between the seven classes, which are headed for the first time by the long format GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech CCI3*. Nineteen runners line up for this feature class, while a similar amount are due to contest the Castleacres Insurance Brokers CCI2*.

Numbers have increased in the newly-sponsored CCI1*, this year supported by Sam and Lornie Slater of Cahirvillahow House. The ever popular short format CIC classes have attracted even more entries, with the GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech CIC3* carrying a healthy 38. The Horse Sport Ireland CIC2* is also popular, as is both the Eventing Ireland CIC1* and the CIC1* young horse sector.

As it has been in recent years, the track in the feature Gain/Alltech CIC3* has been designed by Olympic and World Games Designer Mike Etherington-Smith but, in a new move, Camphire’s FEI accredited designer Paul Brady takes responsibility of the CCI3*.

“When we mentioned to Mike that we wanted to go CCI3* level he felt that I should take it on,” Brady explained. “Mike has of course mentored me and I doubt that I would have taken the step up without his support and encouragement. Both three-star tracks share fences, so we have agreed the routes between us.”

Making every use of Camphire’s natural attributes, the existing CIC3* route forms the basis of the new track with the long format course dipping in and out to achieve the required distance. The resulting flowing route, and while the classes follow the same course at the beginning, there are a number of new fences and combinations.

Among them is a normandy bank combination, which appears as the first question at fence six. There is a black flag option here, which precedes a galloping stretch (for the long format) to a new trakehner (8).

Both classes then reunite for the first water on Brownes farm, which is approached from a different direction this year. Further on in the course is the spectator friendly Castleacre Insurance drop which, changed this year, now has brush angled rails off the drop for all classes.

The long format riders will also pass through the main arena, where they will negotiate an accuracy demanding complex of cottages. This will provide excellent viewing for those around the tented village, which itself has grown again this year.

Running towards home, the established double of brush corners have a new position in the park, but the main water complex is the same as previous years, as is the penultimate eyelashes positioned under cross country control.

CLOSE FINISH

Back to the competition proper, the feature GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech CCI3* is likely to be a close run affair. Home riders equal the visitors in this class, and one to watch could be Carlow international Sam Watson.

This time around Watson rides his relatively inexperienced but talented Ardagh Highlight, while another interesting combination is the comparatively new partnership of Aoife Clark and Master Rory.

Formerly campaigned by Rose Carnegie, Clark has enjoyed some good spins on this Irish-bred and looks ready for a win. Standing out among the visitors is Tom McEwen who teams up with the Irish-bred Strike Smartly. Already CIC3* winners at Chatsworth this year, they look to have a strong chance.

From an Irish angle, one of the most interesting classes of the weekend is the Bucas CICYH1* class for six-year-olds. This highly competitive showcase has developed into a prestigious championship, and once again will deliver firm indicators to the Lion D’Angers selectors.

Katie O’Sullivan with AKD Cooley Lockdown could emerge as favourites. A four-time winner already this season, they come on the back of some strong form, as do Kilguilkey CIC* runners-up Briarhill Marco (Michael Ryan), Cooley Cosmopolitan Diamond (Sarah Ennis), Shangore Jenga (Felicity Ward) and Lady Baton Rouge (Sian Hawkes).

Another young horse series that has really gathered pace are the Horse Sport Ireland masterclasses for four and five-year-olds. These will run on Friday and Saturday evenings and both are fully subscribed.

As usual and always popular with the spectators, there will be two days of cross-country action, with the bulk of the classes (with the exception of the CIC1*, the CICYH1* and CIC3* classes) running on Saturday.

Away from the track, Camphire’s popular tented village expands each year.

Other attractions include the GAIN novelty dog show on the Sunday, as well as boat trips available on the River Blackwater during the event.