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The Cross Country was always going to be tough - it is meant to be! And Course Designer Tommy Brennan set a course to test the brave for this European Eventing Championships at Punchestown. When Pippa Funnell was asked what she thought of the course and its designer her answer was quick of the mark "Tommy Brennan must have been a duck in a previous life.....there's lots of water!" and what a wet day for there to be such a "ducks course"!

The fence which attracted the majority of spectators and photographers (and Maggs was no exception) was Number 20 - the IFG Water sponsored by the IFG Group. This fence had a difficulty rating of 9 and it was well rated. It is a unique fence in that the tunnel before the drop acts like a set of blinkers - then as the rider and horse drop into the water the blinkers are removed and the horses are able, for the first time to see the full view. The narrow fence on the island is a replica of the Treaty Stone and the history of the Treaty Stone goes like this.... in 1690 and 1691 Limerick was put under siege by the English Army and when James II, a Catholic, produced and heir to be raised as a Catholic he was ousted in a bloodless coup by the England by his son in law William of Orange. James fled to France where he raised an army which he brought to Limerick in an attempt to regain his crown. After a period of stalemate the Treaty of Limerick was signed on the Treaty Stone, which allowed soldiers to join either William's or James' army. The Treaty Stone stood outside the Black Bull public house in Thomondgate where it was used as a step for mounting horses.

The Trainers Comment on this fence are as follow: No one can guarantee how their horse will land into the water. Therefore some quick decisions and positive riding may be required before jumping on to the island bank. If the jump on to the island is not fluent it will hugely increase the difficulty of the Treaty Stone fence on the island. Thos eon tired or less expereinced horses may well decide that the very long alternative route is the best option at this stage of the course.

Please come with us on a pictorial journey of the IFG Water fence number 20.
Left and Above: Arnaud Boitreau and Expo du Moulin (FRA) negotiated the tunnel and drop into the water well although the look on Arnaud's face really says a lot doesn't it?! This combination finished in 10th position overall.
Above: Sasha Harrison for Ireland and All Love du Fenaud, the 15 year old bay gelding show us the approach to the Treaty Stone and all looks well at this point but............. Above:...but something went wrong when the horse put out his landing gear strangely instead of jumping over the Treaty Stone....he looked strangely like he was "leaning on the bar"
Above: Sasha managed to tactfully turn All Love off this awkward position he had got into without any damage and they spun around and took the option. Above: and they are on their way again looking very confident.
Above left and right: Over the last part of this very difficult water complex and off they go on their way to the next task with a big grin from Sasha and All Love got huge pats on his way past the spectators who gave an appreciative roar as they winged their way towards the end. Sasha finished up in 18th place overall.

Left: Mary King for GBR opted to take the long way and not do the tunnel and water drop on King Solomon III, a 15 year old bay gelding.

 

 

Right: Mary and King Solomon make light work of the Treaty Stone on their way to their final placing of 5th placing .

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