Archive for 2013

Equestrian Social Media Awards 2014

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The Millstreet team are in the running for four awards in the upcoming Equestrian Social Media Awards.

Established in December 2010, the Equestrian Social Media Awards (ESMAs) bring together the global equestrian community through social media. We are looking for you to help us make the short-list in the following categories:

  • Category 1 (Best use of Facebook)
  • Category 2 (Best use of Twitter)
  • Category 9 (Best use of Social Media by an Event/Competition)
  • Category 18 (Best Use of Social Media in UK and Ireland)

With over 6,000 fans on Facebook, a growing collection of video material on YouTube and an active presence on Twitter, Millstreet continues to embrace the social media community, from keeping users up to date with developments at the Green Glens Arena to publishing videos from the archives and posting live updates during each show. This year, we expanded our online coverage to include live video streaming from the Main Arena during our CSI*** show in August and with a record three international shows coming up in 2014, (including the European Pony Championships) we aim to bring our social media activity to the next level.

We would really appreciate it if you could take the time to nominate us in the four categories above on the ESMA website and we look forward to bringing even more news, photos, video and live content to your screen in 2014!

 

Ellen Whitaker wins Millstreet International Grand Prix

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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 6th 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!”

Opening Days of Millstreet International 2013

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Ireland’s Daniel Coyle clinched victory in the first International class of the week at the Millstreet International Horse Show yesterday. Riding Conor Coyle’s “Athlet Van’t Lozerhof,” the two times HSI/Blue Grass Spring Tour Champion posted a superb clear in the Horse Sport Ireland sponsored qualifier for Sunday’s €50,000 Grand Prix. The rain that came in over Clara Mountain did nothing to deter Great Britain’s Guy Williams who took the top position in the Slaney Foods International 2 Phase aboard “Belinka VH Overlede Goed.” Having taken the top position in four of the international classes at last year’s show, the Kent-based rider will be hoping for similar success this week.

The Green Glens Arena has been a hive of activity this week, with nearly 8,000 entries received across 97 competitions. Competition got underway with a series of National and young horse classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. Richard Howley took the honours in Wednesday’s Self Built Ireland Boomerang Qualifier, jumping a superb clear with Ann Solis’ “Benedictus.” The large crowd that gathered in the afternoon sunshine to watch the Goresbridge Go for Gold National Eventing Discovery class were treated to a display of top class riding from Co. Meath’s Deirdre Reilly and “Stormhill Lad,” while last years winner Geoff Curran had to settle for second place with “The Jump Jet” who is shortly to be retired from eventing. Thursday’s Plassey Foods Millstreet Ruby Qualifier went the way of Gerard Clarke who took two of the top three places with “Scoobie is our Man” and “Westside Madona.” Gerard O’ Neill slotted into second position with “Dondoctro Ryal K.”

The action continues at Millstreet until Sunday with plenty of top class International and National competitions still to come. 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 18th 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.

This evening’s Irish Farmer’s Journal Young Irelander Final looks set to be one of the strongest showcases of three year old horses in recent years while Saturday’s Irish Field sponsored National Discovery Final will also provide a fascinating insight into the International showjumping horses of the future.

Millstreet Set for International Invasion

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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 14th – 18th 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 18th 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!

Five Long days to go!!

Hi Everyone!

Hope ye are all enjoying Dublin, unfortunately there’s still a good bit to do here so I’m not going to make it to the RDS. Instead I’ve had to settle for updates from our Press Officer who did manage to get there!

A lot has happened since my last blog. The Olympic jumps have arrived and are looking great! We also started doing up our office where I work during the show! A big thanks to Oisin, Conor, Ryan and Darragh for painting the office and dispensing with the counters.

The Office gets a paint job!

Entries are massive and this show will be the biggest show jumping event ever held at Green Glens. Due to such large numbers we have decided to alter the schedule which you can view here. Also we are no  longer taking entries so please don’t even ask as refusal may offend. A schooling round for International and Boomerang horses has also been added so that will start on Tuesday August 13th at 14.00. I appeal to all of you to be as efficient as possible next week and please be polite to the Pocket Stewards as it is not an easy job for them!

On a lighter note, last evening I finally got an evening off to go to the Millstreet Community School Debs where I also teach. Below is a photo of myself, Alanna and Sinead (who also work in the office). The girls looked fab and we all had a great night!

I look forward to seeing everyone next week, please stop by and say hello and I hope that there wont be too many problems! I wish everyone the best of luck and I hope that you all find your visit to Millstreet enjoyable and prosperous.

 

Regards

Eimear

Schedule Changes

Owing to the vast number of entries received, the following changes have been made to the schedule for Millstreet 2013:

Tuesday August 13th

A schooling round for International and Boomerang horses will take place in the Main International Arena from 2-3PM (60 seconds).

 

Wednesday August 14th

Event 10 – 1.20m 7 year old and over qualifier will now move to Arena 2 starting at 8.30

Event 7 – 128 1.00m Qualifier will move to Arena 5 starting at 08.30 and will be followed by Event 11 – 1.10m Young Rider qualifier at 13.00

 

Thursday August 15th

Event 18 –  International No 1 1.50m Grand Prix Qualifier will commence at 13.00

Event 22 – 1.10m Ladies will start at 08.30

 

Friday August 16th

Event 37 – Young Rider 1.30m Grand Prix Qualifier will commence at 08.30

Event 43 – 1.20m 7 year old and over qualifier will start at 09.00 in Arena 4

Event  49 – 138 90cm will move to Arena 6 at 15.00 after 148 90cm

 

 

Two Year Old Futurity

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Bringing a new concept to Ireland’s most complete horse show, Millstreet has added a 2 year old Futurity Competition to its schedule. Carrying a prize fund of €1000, the event will take place in the Main Indoor Arena on Friday August 16th at 13.00. Entrants will be judged on movement, confirmation and ability. Horses may be asked to jump a cross pole and small oxer at the discretion of the judges (who will be from overseas).

The Competition is designed to identify young stock which are likely to make top class Sport Horses in their chosen discipline going forward. This is a rare opportunity for the Irish Breeder to generate return in the early years of his/her progeny. It is financially rewarding as well as affording the Breeder an international shop window to compete/exhibit their produce in the early years. Entries close on Friday July 19th, entry online only.