A record number of nations will be represented at the upcoming Sema Lease Camphire International Horse Trials & Country Fair in County Waterford, with participants travelling from as far afield as China, Japan and New Zealand, as well as from European nations.
This year Camphire hosts the Irish leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ and once more records have been set with 8 teams taking part, each seeking to win the FEI’s Silver Salver and House of Waterford Crystal’s magnificent piece of Crystal.
Teams will include representation from Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Great Britain and New Zealand as well as Ireland’s own team of top horse trials riders.
The event will stage 7 international classes which to date have a total of 330 entries. In addition 70 horses will take part in the Masterclasses for young 4 and 5 year old Irish horses, many of whom will be the stars of the future in top level completion throughout the world.
So many entries have been received this year for this very popular event that the organisers have had to lay on additional stabling and exercise facilities for the horses, never mind finding accommodation throughout west Waterford for the horses’ human companions and minders as well as the spectators flocking to this prestigious event.
Accommodation providers in the area are reporting full occupancy for the weekend.
The international competitions, with participants from 16 different nations, are staged in three phases with horse and rider combinations completing dressage on Friday, 26 July, with cross country and show jumping on Saturday 27 and Sunday, 28 July.
The cross country course which runs over the beautiful farmlands of the Wilks and Browne families at Camphire overlooking the river Blackwater is a true test of courage and stamina.
The top international competitors will cover almost 6 kilometres jumping some 40 fences that demand a mix of precision riding over narrow obstacles at difficult angles and brave jumping over enormous solid timbers and into spectacular water complexes.
Visitors will have a full weekend of action and activity to view as well as the delights of the artisan food and craft stalls, daily Blackwater eco trips and of course the charity dog show on Sunday, 28 July.
Located just 10 mins from Cappoquin, Lismore and Tallow (location: P51 H5P2), Camphire is the place to be, with something for all the family.
Further information from www.camphirehorsetrials.com
