Horses for Courses Festival
A unique equestrian event which has raised over €400,000 for charity is saddling up this weekend for injured jockey Robbie McNamara.
Riders from Tipperary, Limerick and Clare have all signed up for the two-day Horses for Courses festival will be run in the village of Athlacca which is uniquely home to four equestrian sports – racing, hunting, polocrosse and showjumping.
The festival - which will be held in aid of the Robbie McNamara Trust and local community projects – will feature a string of original equine events including the first ever hurling on horseback match and a musical performance on ponies.
It will also see half-bred horses going under starter’s orders like their thoroughbred horses on Saturday(October 24th) in the village outside Kilmallock in Co. Limerick in a draft horse dash, a relay, a ladies race, a polocrosse chase, an over 50s and an open challenge.
The Dromin-Athlacca Charity Ride – recently voted one of the best of its kind in the world - will set off on the Sunday of the October bank holiday festival over natural obstacles on farms all around the east Limerick village.
The two days of equestrian games which are the brainchild of former Junior European Showjumping Champion Brian McMahon and racing trainer Enda Bolger.
Brian McMahon says he is hoping the festival which will be run on Saturday and Sunday will be a hugely entertaining for spectators.
“We have hurlers on horseback and musical ponies as well of a host of other horseback challenges which will all be great craic.
“It’s something the whole family can come to watch and be entertained by. We want people to come along to see something a little bit different.
'We also have a course cross-country challenges aimed to be fun, fair and competitive. It will be great for the spectator and a very good crowd-puller.
“Obviously people are aiming to be first past the finishing posts but the challenges will be designed more for fun than speed. We have categories like drafts and age categories and the GAA category.
“Each category will run over distances of up to 2 miles over banks and cross country fence. Anyone interested in signing up can go on the facebook or the website or ring me.'
The festival will also feature gourmet food stalls, a bucking bronco, a Halloween Fancy Dress competition, bouncy castles and a kid’s activity tent which will have a pumpkin carving demonstration, face painting and cup cake decorating.
The tiny village Athlacca is home to horse trainers including Enda Bolger and Austin Leahy, along with Limerick Polocrosse Club run by Michael Collins, which recently featured on Sky's Irish TV channel, along with hunting and showjumping yards.
Brian McMahon said horses are synonymous with the area which is famed for its big banks and equestrian tradition.
“It’s been heavily steeped with horses for years going back to the trainer PP Hogan and it’s quite famous in all aspects of it.”
The ride named by Horse and Hound as one of the best on the planet has tested some of the top riders in Ireland and England including top jockeys Charlie Swan, Paul Carberry and Davy Russell, RTE pundit Ted Walsh and showjumping boy wonder Bertram Allen.
“We were the first in the world to start a cross country ride. Now they are all over the world”, said Brian McMahon.
“We have given away approximately 400,000 euros to charity so it’s a tremendous feat for a small village.
“It’s been in aid of the injured jockey’s fund and a load of other charities since we started over 20 years ago. This year it is for the Robbie McNamara Trust and local community projects.'
And while adrenaline junkies can take on the big banks on the main ride on Sunday there is also a second less demanding route designed forhorses and riders looking for a more laid-back ride.
He said: “There are options everywhere for people who want to opt for smaller obstacles.
“There is no pressure on the riders as there are always gates or other options. It’s all about fun and raising money for charity.”
To enter the races or the charity ride go to the AthlaccaHorses for Courses Festival on facebook or ring Brian McMahon on 086-8367666.