TATTERSALLS Ireland has announced the final line up of classes to run at the 2011 Tattersalls International Horse Trials in association with Horse Sport Ireland which take place 26-29 May 2011. As well as the recently announced new
CCI *** class, Tattersalls has agreed to run a CIC *** class.

Said Managing Director of Tattersalls Ireland, George Mernagh, “Our ambition has always been to run a CCI *** at the International Horse Trials. By also running a CIC *** in 2011 we are giving our Irish riders as well as our large contingent of international competitors every possibility to achieve the qualifications needed for the 2012 Olympics. We had some hard decisions to make on hearing that the FEI had lost the prestigious HSBC sponsorship of the World Cup class. However we hope that these high profile international classes will provide wonderful opportunities for sponsors who wish to be associated with this growing event.“

The 2011 event will be staging all the classes run in 2010 but with the cross country for the CIC *** taking place on the Sunday. Said Event Director Jean Mitchell,” We are delighted that Tattersalls has taken this decision. We are keen to support the ambitions of competitors who are aiming for the top of our sport on the world stage. Whilst the logistics will require a mastermind, it means that many riders will have considerably more options.”

The news has been welcomed by riders. “Brilliant!,” said New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson, “I love the way Tattersalls thinks; it’s always about improving, up-grading, and giving competitors what they need. Having the CIC 3* class on the Sunday means I can bring over a lorry load of horses. It makes the trip really worthwhile.”

Irish rider Joseph Murphy who has had a particularly successful year remarked, “It is welcome news. The new format of two days of cross country will attract overseas competitors as it will allow them to compete up to 8 horses over the weekend. It is a great opportunity for home riders to gain qualifications without the expense of travelling abroad.”

The 2011 event will run a total of 7 classes: the CCI ***, CIC ***, CCI **, Under 25 class CCI *, as well as the Junior and CCN** Pony classes. For more information go to www.tattersalls.ie