Now in its 13th year, the event combines top-class equestrian sport and a picnic-like atmosphere.

Olympic gold, silver and bronze medallists and world champions are among the 368 entries from 16 countries for the horse trials. Three-day events are the ultimate and toughest test of all equestrian sports, effectively a triathlon for horse and rider combinations.

The Tattersalls competition is seen as an important stepping stone for many towards the World Equestrian Games in America this September and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The event also includes a country fair and provides a great day’s entertainment for all the family.

There is free admission for under-12s and the family dog is welcome too. The shopping village boasts over 80 shops and a carnival atmosphere is guaranteed.

Irish sixth in France

Ireland sits in second place on the Nations Cup leaderboard following a sixth place finish in the French leg at La Baule last Sunday. Rodrigo Pessoa’s team of Cameron Hanley (riding Quirex, owned by Patrick Mielnik), Mark McAuley (Utchan de Belheme, owned by Charlotte McAuley), Shane Sweetnam (Indra van de Oude, owned by the Blue Buckle Group) and Paul O’Shea (Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu) earned 55 points, bringing their total to 145. The Swiss lead on 180.

The winners at La Baule were the Brazilian team, who pipped the Dutch and the Swiss. A total of eight countries took part.

Joy for Jessica

Jessica Burke landed her first National Grand Prix win of the season when she partnered Clonguish Vivaro to victory at Cavan Equestrian Centre last Sunday.

They went clear in 44.56secs to earn the winner’s share of the €4,000 prize fund, sponsored by the venue. The winners also won a round of the Spring Tour in Mullingar recently.

Bred and owned by Bernard and Josephine Jordan from Longford, Clonguish Vivaro is a nine-year-old gelding by Vivaldo Van Het Costersveild and is out of the Tanaos-sired dam Clonguish Gold.

Balmoral winners

International jumping in Balmoral came to an exciting close last Friday, with Grand Prix victory going to English rider Morgan Kent. Based in Wetherby, Morgan is the partner of Sligo show jumper Richard Howley.

Riding Drumconnick Verdi, Kent posted the win in 49.13secs.

Bred in Cavan by Clive Pratt, Drumconnick Verdi is a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion by Verdi out of Abelt JE.

Pratt bought the dam, Abelt JE, as a three-year-old after seeing her loose jumping. She remained in Holland and arrived in Ireland in-foal to Verdi. The dam is still with Pratt and he plans to put her in foal to Verdi again. Pratt also runs an agriculture machinery business in Cavan.