EQUESTRIAN SPORTS/European three-day event: Bord Failte, through the Government's international sports tourism initiative, will be one of the main backers of next year's IFG European three-day event and Emirates endurance championships at Punchestown.

Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy announced Bord Fáilte's involvement with the Sport Ireland championships in Dublin last night, when plans for a major new international sport horse show to be held at Punchestown in May of this year were also revealed.

The May 16th-19th feature, which is being described as a "dry run" for the double European Championships in September 2003, will incorporate the IFG international three-day event, which this year will be used by many nations as their final trial for pre-world equestrian games selection. Around 160 riders from 20 different countries are expected to compete. On the Saturday, which is traditionally cross-country day at Punchestown, the schedule will also include super league Grand Prix show jumping and an international pony trial, while the Sunday (May 19th) will feature a hunt chase.

Tommy Brennan, who designed the much admired cross-country challenge for the 1991 European Championships at Punchestown, has been brought back on board and will be in charge of the cross-country track for both this year and next.

A new company, Eventing at Punchestown Ltd, has been formed to co-ordinate all sport horse activities at the Co Kildare racetrack.

CEO Tim Philips says that the recent boardroom upheavals at Punchestown will not have a detrimental effect on the company's plans, stating that Eventing at Punchestown Ltd has a "legally binding contract" with Blackhall Racing for the use of the Punchestown facilities to promote the sport horse industry.