Top riders on way to Tattersalls international event

Riders Camilla Speirs, Ben Hobday and Emma Carmichael have launched the Tattersalls International Horse Trials & Country Fair. Each represents one of the three equestrian disciplines that form part of the competition which make up the sport of three day evening; Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping.
The event takes place from 31st May – 4th June at Fairyhouse, Ratoath, where visitors to the event will have the opportunity to watch the world’s leading event riders as they compete in this tough equestrian triathlon.
Combining world class sport with a quintessential Country Fair, Tatts is renowned as one of the countryside events of the summer. Supported by Failte Ireland, the Country Fair features a shopping village full of country chic brands, an artisan market and a Stena Line Kids Zone packed with fun that includes a pet farm, traditional carnival rides and a toddler activity area.
Roger Casey, Managing Director of Tattersalls Ireland commented: “We are proud to be playing host to some of the best riders in the world here at Tatts 2017, including Philip Dutton, ranked World No 2, who is traveling over from America. We have many other multi-medal winning international athletes – Sir Mark Todd and Tim Price representing New Zealand, Zara Tindall (the Queen’s granddaughter), Mary King and William Fox-Pitt, all members of the GB Olympic team, and Lissa Greene, daughter of Lucinda Greene who won Badminton a record six times. Also our own Olympians Jonty Evans and Padraig McCarthy, who represented Ireland in one of only a handful of sports featuring Irish athletes at Rio. To have such a wealth of equestrian sporting talent here in Ireland for the weekend is a huge honour and that combined with the ever expanding Country Fair will make it a few days not to be missed.”
For more information including online discounted ticket prices, please see www.tatts.ie, Twitter: @TATTS2017, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram.

Camilla Speirs, Irish Equestrian

Camilla Speirs has already accomplished more than many professional event riders achieve in their entire careers. At 27 years of age, Camilla’s remarkable successes to date include six European Championships, two World Equestrian Games and an Olympic Games debut in 2012 when she was just 22 years old. (She was also reserve rider in Rio). From Burtown, Co Kildare she was competing in Pony club events from the tender age of four and competed in Badminton four star event at the weekend.

Ben Hobday, UK Event Rider

Ben Hobday is a very successful British event rider with a huge social media following. He won the U21 National Championships and he won team gold and individual bronze in the Young Rider European Championships. He is a regular competitor at Tattersalls International Horse Trials. Ben has competed at some of the biggest four star events in the world including Pau, Badminton and Burghley. Ben was diagnosed with cancer in 2015 and returned to the saddle the same year after completing his chemotherapy treatment. He receives huge support on social media. He is Patron of the Willberry Wonderpony Charity which aims to grant equine related wishes to seriously ill people and their families.

Emma Carmichael

Emma married Ben in December 2016 and helps him run his yard and business Shadow Sport Horses. She is also competing at Tatts 2017.

This is the 12th Tattersalls event (a record 31,000 attended last year).
Competition runs over five days from Wednesday, 31st May – Sunday 4th June. The Shopping village opens on Thursday 2nd June with all Kids Entertainment and the Country Fair open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Sport Eventing is an Olympic sport and combines three disciplines Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping. It is one of the few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms.
Tattersalls features eight competitions and attracts over 250 competitors from seven different nations.
Dressage takes place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, cross country on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and show jumping on Saturday and Sunday.
The Country Fair is an outdoor tented shopping village featuring 70+ stands, an Artisan Market, gourmet food outlets, picnic areas and a Country Kitchen & Tea Rooms in Tattersalls Country House.
The dedicated Kids Zone provides a range of entertainment for kids of all ages including a toddler zone, activity area, dog shows, pony rides, traditional carnival rides and lots more.