THERE were large entries for the Botanica Leinster Dressage summer festival held in glorious sunshine at CoilÓg Equestrian Centre last weekend.

“The facilities are great here at CoilÓg, good arenas and wonderful catering,” said Leinster Dressage vice-chairperson Clare Fitzsimons “We hosted a buffet dinner on the Saturday evening and are running five dressage arenas plus three warm-up arenas over two days to facilitate the nearly 300 entries in 54 classes, which is almost as many entries as the national championships.

“There are championships and classes from Grand Prix to trailblazers at this year’s festival which is very generously supported by our fantastic title sponsors Botanica.

“This is also the fifth leg of our Ark Equine Derby Spring Summer League. We have visiting judges over from Great Britain and The Netherlands along with our Irish judges. Bernie Foley and Dermot Cannon are holding judges’ training sessions here on both days which is a great opportunity for all of those participating. With nearly 250 members, Leinster is the biggest region in Dressage Ireland. Many thanks to our very active committee, chaired by Petra Larkin, to our members and volunteers for all their hard work in organising this big dressage festival,” she added.