Well Punchestown is already a sea of trucks with the competitors settling in for the show which begins on Wednesday with the trot ups.
This year cross country fans will be well catered for with two days of Cross Country, with the 3*** running on Saturday and the 2** on Sunday. The CIC-OG***, which is the shortened Olympic Games format, will run Cross Country on Saturday also.
The start sheets to date list riders from Ireland, the Dutch Antilles, Australia, Britain, Greece and New Zealand and no doubt the competition will be fierce especially for those looking for selection for Athens.
Technical Delegates Neil Clinton (Australia) and Tommy Brennan reunite for the third year in a row and there have been slight changes to the European Championship Cross Country course from 2003 - these changes have been made to comply with CIC*** rules.
The tunnel at the IFG water fence has been removed, much to the dismay of many of the photographers, our own included, who loved photogrpahing this fence (see photo above) and the distance on top of the bank to the Limerick Treaty Stone on top of the island has been increased from a bounce to a stride - these being the major changes with other minor changes having been made.
The weather forecast through to Friday is for fine weather, with no rain and temperatures around 18-20degrees celsius - so fingers crossed that the weather bureau have it right!
On Saturday we also see in the main arena the next leg of the IJM Timber Frame National Grand Prix League as well as the Young Rider Grand Prix and jumpingaround.com will be in the thick of it to bring you all the action and plenty of photos!
For our Australian readers - Wendy Schaeffer and Koyuna Sun Glo have been seen out showjumping and they are looking sensational over the 1.30m tracks. We also understand that Matt Ryan and Andrew Hoy have arrived this evening at Punchestown three horses between them.
Entries for all events have been good although I understand that Officials are surprised that entry for the CIC-OG*** is not bigger as this is one of the few events holding an Olympic format in the lead up to Athens - but perhaps there are still more hoping for their qualification rating and therefore have to perform in the regular 3*** event.
For direct access to the official site for this event please click on the heading banner on this page - the International Sport Horse Show to take you straight there.
