Disruptions to shipping schedules caused by stormy weather this week threatened to deplete the start list for the Kerrygold World Cup qualifier in Millstreet, Co Cork.
However, horses belonging to the British contingent, which includes World Equestrian Games bronze medallists Nick Skelton and John Whitaker, finally left port yesterday and were expected to be at the Cork venue when the first international event of the five-day meeting gets underway at lunchtime today. There were no travel problems experienced by the Dutch, French, Norwegian, Danish, German and Swiss riders, whose horses were flown into Cork airport on Wednesday by chartered aircraft.
Last year's Irish victors, Trevor Coyle and Cruising, will head the line-out in tomorrow night's £20,000 World Cup qualifier, the first to run under the Kerrygold banner following the withdrawal of Volvo as title sponsors earlier this year after a 20-year run.
However, Jessica Chesney, winner of the first World Cup qualifier in Millstreet in 1992, will not be amongst the starters. The Irish rider, who is now based in Germany, has another engagement on her calendar - she is to marry her German fiance Eckhard Kurten in the Co Antrim village of Ahoghill next Wednesday.
In addition to tomorrow's Kerrygold World Cup qualifier, Millstreet will also host the £15,000 Dairygold Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, and tomorrow night WBO boxing champion Steve Collins will make a comeback in the Millstreet arena when he captains a polo team in a display match.
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