The decision has been reluctantly taken by the organisers, Punchestown 3DE Ltd, in consultation with the management of Punchestown Racecourse and Horse Sport Ireland, to postpone the 2008 Three Day Event at Punchestown Racecourse.  A number of factors have influenced this decision including the redevelopment and improvement works to areas in the centre of the racecourse. 

 Following the poor Summer weather some activities at Punchestown have unfortunately resulted in damage to the ground on portions of the event course.  Dick O’Sullivan, manager of Punchestown Racecourse expressed regret at the cancelling of the event for 2008 but reiterated Punchestown’s commitment to equestrian activities.  “We are very grateful to Gillian Kyle for her work in running the Three Day Event at Punchestown in the recent past and there is now a very good relationship there and  a successful and popular event which we plan to build going forward.  I would stress that this is a temporary sabbatical and we are very committed to the return of the Three Day Event to Punchestown in 2009.” The management of the racecourse will use this opportunity to upgrade and extensively repair the areas concerned for the long term benefit of this and other events.

Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland Joe Walsh said that while he was disappointed that the event was not going ahead he said that it was important to start planning for 2009. “We will be meeting with both the Racecourse and the Event team shortly to start planning for 2009 and to examine the possibility of applying to host the 2011 European championships” he said.

 Gillian Kyle, Director of the International Three Day Event, said “While it is disappointing to lose Ireland’s premier three day event for 2008, the opportunity presented to us and the racecourse to radically improve the site so that this situation never occurs again is very attractive. We are delighted at the possibility of hosting another European Championships at Punchestown and look forward to working closely with Horse sport Ireland in what is sure to be a very exciting time for our sport.”