World Cup qualifier begins at Tattersall's
Thursday, 28 May 2009 10:55Queen Elizabeth's grand-daughter and an Irish Army Captain will be just two of the star-studded international field begin their bid this morning for the HSBC Eventing World Cup Qualifier
title at Tattersall's in Co Meath.
Reigning World champion Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne, and last year's winner Capt Geoff Curran both face formidable competition over the four days of the event, with a total of eight Olympic medallists among the world-class line-up of participants.
Today sees the beginning of the dressage phase, which will last until Friday evening, and this will be followed by the cross-country phase on Saturday, ending with show jumping on Sunday, when the winner will be declared.
Waterford-born Capt Geoff Curran will be riding the Minister for
Defence's Irish-bred 'Kilkishen', the horse that won him last year's
Qualifier at Tattersall's.
He said: 'It is a very high quality field that we're up against, that's for sure, but the horse is very fresh and in fantastic form, and he has completed some good tests in the last year. So I'm honestly more confident this year than I was in 2008.'
Record crowds are expected in Co Meath over the Bank Holiday weekend to see a total of 280 riders compete in three different equestrian events sponsored by Horse Sport Ireland at the Tattersall's complex.
