Friday, 18 May 2007
Day One of the Punchestown
Three Day Event
With a dull and dreary start, it was
very hard to predict what the outcome of the first day of
the Punchestown Three Day Event was going to be. But before
long, having heard all our prayers, the weather gods allowed
the sun to shine brightly through. However that was not the
only source of sunshine on the day, British Rider Mathew
Wright, on a chance ride shone through taking the lead in
the CLG Development/Irish Horse Board CCI*.
Mathew had only just sealed the
deal on Wednesday (May 16, 2007) for his mount Noisette des
Pres. The one star also saw Irish contenders Alison Holden
and Young rider Eliza
Preston lying second and third
place respectively. Irishman Sam Watson, who was overall
fourth in the European Young Riders Championships last year
is lying fourth.
British rider Oliver Townend, who competed for the British
squad in the World Games last year, had a very busy day
riding two horses in the Fáilte Ireland/Irish Horse Board
CCI**. His efforts certainly paid off when he managed to
secure both first and third places. Second place at the
moment is Australian, Paul Taper on Stormhill Michael.
Louise Bloomer, who won the an international class at
Ballendisk is the leading Irish rider in the CCI** in fourth
place. Dressage completes in this class today.
Competitors also spent time yesterday inspecting the course
for the Cross Country on Saturday and were pleasantly
surprised by the conditions they witnessed, some of them did
however look perplexed at the questions the course itself is
posing so Saturday is sure to be packed with thrills and
spills.
Today’s activities include the feature
class, the Irish Horse Board CCI *** Dressage, the Young
Event Horse Classes and the Irish Horse Board Young Horse
Showjumping qualifiers. Over forty entries have been
received for the Young Event Horse which in its second year
is almost double last years riders. To allow the Prestigous
Irish Horse Board showjumping qualifiers to take part on the
all weather surface, Dressage is scheduled to finish at the
earlier time of 2pm today. The finals of the qualifiers will
take place on Saturday.
All results are constantly being
updated on the Punchestown 3de website
www.punchestown3de.com and, of course, at the event.
For further information please contact:
Ros Murphy on 087-8532332.
