Ireland’s first publicly owned horse sport arena was opened yesterday at the National Sports Campus in Abbottstown.
The arena is built within the walled garden of Abbottstown and is a striking environment in which Ireland’s show jumping, dressage, eventing and modern pentathlon teams will be able to prepare for major competition.
The surface on which the horse will perform is a replica of that which was used at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games from which Ireland emerged with a significant medal haul. It will be available on a ‘community commercial’ basis in conjunction with Horse Sport Ireland.
“This is the next major milestone in the development of the National Sports Campus,” said Leo Varadkar when opening the Arena. “The National Horse Sport Arena is the first public facility of its kind in Ireland and will provide world-class facilities for 25 different equestrian sports.”
“The National Sports Campus is now the first place in Europe where modern pentathletes can train in all five disciplines on a single campus. It’s been a real privilege to see Irish pentathletes and equestrian athletes do so well in the last couple of years. I am confident that this investment will result in more medals and trophies for Ireland in the near future.”
Natalya Coyle finished in ninth place in Modern Pentathlon at the London Olympics and was present yesterday at the launch of the new facility, highlighting the advantage it gives to have the five disciplines of running, swimming, shooting, fencing and now riding all in the same location.
There is also space between the arena and the protected walls of the site for the erection of temporary viewing facilities should that ever be required, though the RDS Showgrounds remain the main location for major competition.
“Our senior and young riders are on a roll at the moment and the facilities on the campus will help to build on this success and tee us up for medals in the World Equestrian Games and the Olympics in Rio,” added Professor Patrick Wall, Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland.
The National Sports Campus continues to make significant progress in measured fashion. All weather facilities that will accommodate team sports including GAA, soccer, rugby and hockey have started to emerge on the far side of the National Aquatic Centre and the campus, from controversial beginnings over a decade ago, will develop over time as a major infrastructural benefit for the broad sports community.
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