Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair – an Overwhelming Success

Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair 2016 proved an overwhelming success and reconfirmed that it has now truly developed into one of the World’s leading three-day-events. A record number of 31,110 people visited our Ratoath venue to witness over 300 competitors compete from nine different nations. There was also plenty for all the family to enjoy with over 110 trade stands in the Shopping Village experiencing buoyant trade in the sun drenched surroundings. Since the inception of the Tatts live streaming platform it has gone from strength to strength and annually serves to illustrate the international appeal of this event and this year proved no different – the event was viewed 18,067 times across 127 countries from as far as Kenya, Colombia, Jamaica and the Maldives.

There were an abundance of highlights throughout the week, most notably was William Fox-Pitts return to the winner’s podium since his accident, not just once, but twice. He took the Eventing Ireland CCI2* with Secret Night and the Cooley Farm CCIYH1* with Little Fire and in doing so, recorded his tenth international win at Tattersalls.

Team Ireland were up for selection and the George Mernagh Memorial CIC3* had a vital role to play in determining the team that will represent Ireland at Rio. The winner of the class, Padraig McCarthy (pictured above), received the golden ticket after his win in the class and his consistent performance throughout the year, along with class 3rd Jonty Evans, 4th Mark Kyle and 6th Clare Abbott. We wish Team Ireland the very best in Rio and we are delighted that Tattersalls and the George Mernagh Memorial CIC3* offered the opportunity to witness the very best of three-day-eventing to all who came.

Off the track, Tattersalls Country house also hosted a charity lunch for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin with over 300 guests in attendance and significant funds raised for a very worthy cause. We were also honoured to welcome Hannah Francis and her horse Mavis to the main arena to fulfil her dream of competing at an International Event. Hannah displayed such talent, determination and courage that the whole of Tattersalls were truly inspired and motivated, which certainly added to the success and warm atmosphere of Tatts 2016.

Commenting on the success of the Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair 2016, Tattersalls Ireland Managing Director Roger Casey observed;

“We are delighted with how the Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair has gone this year; the event continues to grow and improve annually and has exceeded our expectations in every way. A record attendance of more than 31,000 people flowed through the gates over the course of the last five days. The sun shone on visitors who came to experience the ever improving shopping experience and unique family day out. Those who came to see the sport of Eventing at its very best were not disappointed with the level of competition throughout the five years. Year on year we prove that Tattersalls International Horse Trials and Country Fair offers competitors and owners a range and standard of equestrian test that is hard to match anywhere in the world and this was evident again this week. The continued success of this event is a unique team effort and really is down to the combined commitment of our ever supportive owners and competitors, our dedicated organising committee and large team of volunteers and Tatts personnel and of course all those that contribute financially at various levels and we are sincerely grateful to everyone that helps in any way. We have already started to identify how we can improve the event further and we look forward to delivering an even better renewal of the event from May 31 to June 4 2017!”