ARMY rider Capt. Geoff Curran has finally arrived in Kentucky, USA, to compete in the four-star Rolex event after a mammoth road, sea and air journey following flight disruptions caused by Iceland's recent volcanic eruption.

Waterford-born Curran had his scheduled flight from Dublin cancelled on Sunday, and immediately set out by road to make sure he could be one of Ireland's two representatives at the flagship show, which is one of just five HSBC Classics to be held in the world.

With the first horse inspection at Kentucky due to take place later today (Wednesday) ahead of Thursday's start of competition, Curran rushed to Rosslare on Sunday, boarded a ferry to Cherbourg, and then, with fellow-officer Comdt Tom Freyne, hired a car for an 11-hour overnight drive to Madrid.

Sharing the driving, the pair arrived in the Spanish capital on Tuesday and boarded a flight bound for Atlanta in Georgia, where they arrived nine hours later. Curran then caught a connecting flight to Kentucky, and is now at the showgrounds ready for tomorrow's first day of competition.

The Minister for Defence's gelding 'The Jump Jet' had already been flown out to the US before travel disruptions started and was waiting for Curran when he arrived today.

Ireland's other competitor at Kentucky is the US-based Hilda Hick Donahue.

Capt. Geoff Curran