Final preparations are being put in place for the Mounted Games World Championships which will be held in Co Offaly from July 31st to August 2nd. Founded in 1984 in the UK by Norman Partick with the aim of encouraging friendship between young people through equestrian sport, the games have not been held here before.
Last year, Ireland agreed to host the games in association with the World Equestrian Games in Punchestown but this did not materialise and the Mounted Games were then in doubt. However, the Mounted Games Association of Ireland, which was founded in 1989 by Nora Stewart and Greta Ormonde, decided to try and hold the event on a smaller scale.
The venue chosen was the Annaharvey Farm Equestrian Centre, about seven miles from Tullamore, Co Offaly, because of the quality of its facilities, its rural ambience and the expertise of its owners, Linda and Henry Deverall. Anne Murphy, the PRO for the association, says 10 countries have indicated they will take part in the event.
"We will have teams from Northern Ireland, the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, the US, Canada and Ireland, which expects to win the event this year," she said. "Membership of the teams is generally drawn from the 15-20year-old age group who competed at a young age in pony club games."
As well as the main events there will be a supporting programme including a hunt chase qualifier, western riding displays and a Celtic pairs competition.
Since Ireland's first participation in the games in 1990 in Wales, the Irish have emerged as a formidable group, last year placed as reserve champions behind the UK. This year Ireland will be represented by Michelle Kelly from Carlow; Michael Foley, Meath; Ciaran Hanlon, Meath; Emma Little, Tipperary and Anne-Marie Gavin, Meath, while the substitute rider will be Gillian Thompson, Tipperary.