Great Britain’s Ellen Whitaker rode a superb second round to take the Hyatt Hotels Millstreet International Grand Prix in Co. Cork this afternoon. Having incurred four penalties in the first round, Ellen jumped the only clear in the deciding round with Old Lodge’s KWPN “Zanzibar V” to take the €16,500 winners cheque back to Yorkshire. Captain Michael Kelly had to settle for second place; adding four penalties to his clear first round with the Minister for Defence’s Irish Sport Horse “Ringwood Glen.” The Grand Prix also formed the final of the Connolly’s RED MILLS GBI Tour. Having included competitions at Chepstow (Wales), Mullingar, The Royal Highland Show (Scotland) and the British Masters (Southview, England), the Leading Rider Prize was awarded to Great Britain’s Steven Whitaker and “Locarno 62,” who slotted into 6^th position but picked up vital points to add to their success at the Royal Highland Show earlier this year.

The Green Glens Arena has been a hive of activity since Wednesday with nearly 8,000 entries received across 97 competitions. Earlier today, Toomevara-based Liam O’ Meara occupied the top two positions in the five year old Underwriting Exchange Millstreet Ruby Final with “Curraighgreyjack Takes Flight” and “Kennyflight.” In the Diageo Boomerang Final for 6/7 Year Olds, Millstreet local Jeremy Sweetnam and “Cantor” emerged on top while the Irish Pony European Medallists dominated the Shavings.ie 148 1.30m Grand Prix Final with Killian Norris and “Claggan Gypsy Delight” taking the title just ahead of  Susan Fitzpatrick on “Rock Dee Jay.” The KBC Bank/Calor International Consolation class went the way of Spain’s Antonio Marinas Soto who topped a largely Irish-dominated scoreboard.

On Saturday, Wexford’s Bertram Allen took the top position in the feature class. Riding Billy Twomey’s “Romanov,” the Individual Silver Junior European Medallist’s faultless performance in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Millstreet Masters earned him a second win of the week. Finishing just eight hundreths of a second behind was Great Britain’s William Whitaker with “Upperclass” while current RED MILLS GBI Tour leader Steven Whitaker and “City Banking 3” completed the line-up. Later in the day, the Green Glens Arena echoed with the sounds of “Amhrán na bhFiann” once again; this time in honour of the Irish Field Speed Derby winner Joan Green who rode Ciaran Cronin’s “Abbey Colleen” to victory. Jessica Burke took second spot in a hotly contested competition that resulted in only two clear rounds from the forty two that started.

Millstreet’s commitment to the Irish equestrian industry continued this week with strong renewals of the various young-horse classes. The Irish Farmer’s Journal Three Year Old Young Irelander Final was won by Ronnie Hollinger’s “Creevagh Limited Edition” while Jim Derwin took top honours in the Irish Field National Four Year Old Discovery with “Deep Pockets.” The show also continues to nurture young equestrian talent through the Hitchmough Bursary. This year’s recipient was Aoife McCabe from Kilcolgan in Co. Galway who will now travel to Great Britain to train with Olympic show-jumper Billy Twomey later in the year.

A number of new initiatives were introduced to the show this year, including the successful running of the inaugural Two Year Old Futurity class. For the first time, the main classes from the show were streamed live on the internet, attracting over 1,000 viewers from over 9 countries. Speaking at the conclusion of the show, Event Director Thomas Duggan declared the week’s proceedings to be a resounding success. “Having returned to International competition last year, we have continued to look forward and develop the show. The standard of competition we have seen this week proves that Millstreet is becoming an unmissable event for International riders and we are already making plans for 2014!”

Final preparations are being made at the Green Glens Arena this week in advance of the 2013 Millstreet International Horse Show (CSI***), taking place from 14^th – 18^th August. Returning to its traditional date in the equestrian calendar, the stage is set for one of the biggest shows yet, with the number of entries received already matching last year’s figures.

The International classes across the week are likely to provide strong competition, with the home team headed by 2012 Olympic Bronze medallist Cian O’ Connor. As well as many of the other top showjumping riders in the country, he will be joined by Nation’s Cup rider Capt. Michael Kelly, leading National Hunt jockey and Hickstead 2013 Speed Derby winner Robert Power, reigning TRM/Horseware National Grand Prix League Champion Greg Broderick and Individual Silver Junior European Medallist Bertram Allen. A strong International contingent will be making the journey across the Irish Sea, including 2012 raider and former European Team Bronze medallist Guy Williams, British rider Louise Saywell and four members of the legendary Whitaker family. Millstreet will also welcome competitors and visitors from further afield, including Spain and Canada.

The show will feature 97 classes running over five days, with a total prize fund in excess of €180,000. Of the 8 International classes (including three Longines World Ranking classes), the €50,000 Millstreet International Grand Prix is the main highlight, taking place on Sunday 18^th August. Once again, Millstreet is delighted to host the final of the Connolly’s RED MILLS GBI Showjumping tour. Having included competitions at Chepstow (Wales), Mullingar, The Royal Highland Show (Scotland) and the British Masters (Southview, England), the €10,000 Leading Rider Prize will be determined by the outcome of the Grand Prix. With “Points and a half” on offer, current GBI contenders Steven Whitaker, Alexander Butler and Richard Howley will each be hoping the main competition goes their way.

While competition will be hot across the week, the show-jumps themselves are also likely to attract attention. In addition to the spectacular Irish-themed jumps that were introduced last year, a number of the feature fences from the London 2012 Olympic Games will grace the Main Arena. Visitors to the Green Glens Arena will also encounter changes to other areas of the show, including improved stabling, administration and arena surfaces.

Away from the International action, Millstreet’s commitment to supporting the Irish equestrian industry continues, with a strong entry received for young horse classes including the Boomerang, National Discovery, Young Irelander and Millstreet Ruby. A new addition to the schedule is the “Two Year Old Futurity” class which has attracted interest from across the country. The National Eventing Discovery takes centre stage on Wednesday afternoon with Ireland’s top event horse riders and producers competing for a prize fund of €4,000. Younger riders are also catered for with a host of pony classes; including Ireland’s richest Pony Grand Prix with a prize fund of €4,500.

If you’re looking for a family day out with free admission, world-class showjumping, a wide range of trade exhibitors (including saddlery, leisurewear and footwear, pet accessories and more) then look no further than the Millstreet International Horse Show 2013!