For the first time the Tattersalls International Horse Trials, in association with HSI, will run a CCI 3 Star Class at the Tattersalls Festival, which takes place from 26-29 May 2011, and will feature a new cross country course designed by renowned international event rider, Ian Stark.
Managing Director, George Mernagh said, “We are delighted to welcome, Ian Stark, our new course designer who brings a wealth of experience to the role and has some exciting innovations for the 2011 course. He has already put a great deal of work into the new CCI 3 Star track, which will provide a wonderful opportunity for riders seeking qualification for the 2012 Olympics. This new CCI 3 Star class also presents an attractive sponsorship opportunity and we would be delighted to talk to any potential sponsors of this class.”
“The team at Tattersalls have already made great progress with the course,” said Ian,” I am enjoying making use of Co Meath’s well known hunting ditches! We will have an exciting new water feature and where possible we will be making use of the natural terrain to encourage forward riding. It will be a ‘kick on’ course!”
“We are so pleased to see the Tattersalls Festival going from strength to strength,” said Chairman of Tattersalls Ireland, Edmond Mahony. “We look forward to welcoming even more international riders and visitors to Ireland next May. As well as offering the equestrian community a weekend of top class international eventing, the Tattersalls Festival will be a wonderful family day out with a wealth of activities for children, local gourmet foods, shopping and crafts in our ever expanding Festival Village.”
Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh welcomed the new Tattersalls class.
"Tattersalls are continuing to develop what is already an outstanding event on the world stage. They deserve great credit and the support of the entire equestrian community," he said.
Tattersalls Ireland have said that the continuing generosity of the existing sponsors, Horse Sport Ireland, Eventing Ireland, Catherine Witt’s Rookery Park Stud and Dunboyne Castle Hotel has allowed the festival to go ahead in 2011.