CONDITIONS were perfect last Saturday when the Campbell family welcomed the Northern Region of Eventing Ireland to their Dirraw Farm on the outskirts of Finvoy.

“It was a very, very good day,” reported Alan Campbell who, along with his son Christopher, built the Adam Stevenson-designed cross-country courses. “We have a new bridle way around the farm so about 60% of the track was new and there was plenty of galloping. We took on this date quite late (following the sale of Kircubbin) and, I have to tell you, if we had had more rain earlier in the week it would have been touch and go.

“As it turned out the ground and weather conditions were perfect and everyone seemed to be in good humour and enjoyed the event.

“We moved the show jumping ring back to its original site in the field on the left as you drove into the farm, the parking was below the house and then the dressage arenas were below the lake. It’s usually very wet in that area but it was a lot drier this spring so we decided to do something new and the riders appeared to approve of the change.

“With the need to diversify, we are now dedicating a much bigger area of the farm to the horses. We have had a good few in for schooling and hacking, even from as far away as Raphoe and Malin in Co Donegal. After the event, with the fences in place, we decided to make the most of the Easter holidays and are having a weeklong Go As You Please.

“We had a good crowd in on Sunday and, although you can just turn up, we have steady numbers booked in for Monday and Tuesday.

“Some of the local Pony Clubs use the farm regularly and this year the Mid Antrim Branch is hosting the riding and running phases of the Area 17 Tetrathlon championships here with the swiming phase taking place in Ballymena. Also in July – and this is a first booking like this for us – 20 to 25 riders are coming in from England for a day and have arranged to have hired horses here for them to ride.”

While the Campbells would, no doubt, have preferred to see a bigger entry, they had very positive reports of those who attended Saturday’s event.

“I can’t emphasise enough how well the members of Eventing Ireland conduct themselves regarding litter,” stated Alan. “The place was left in perfect condition and we’re looking forward to having everyone back in July.”