Necarne Horse Trials - About the Event

About the Event
What is three day eventing?
Eventing is the most demanding of all equestrian sports. The competition was originally designed to test the obedience, stamina, courage and fitness of the cavalry horses. It became an Olympic sport in 1896.
	Dressage
	Dressage is the first phase of the competition. Here the horse and rider perform a series of set movements in front of three dressage judges. The dressage tests examine the obedience, suppleness and responsiveness of the horse and the expertise and techniques of the rider.

	Cross Country
	The second phase of the Event involves ‘Speed and Endurance’ which, as its title suggests, tests the speed, fitness and courage of both the horse and rider. Speed and endurance is divided into roads and tracks, steeplechase and cross- country.

	Show Jumping
	Once the Dressage and Speed and Endurance are over, the third phase is the show jumping. Each horse and rider will complete a course of show jumps, proving that they still have the energy, stamina and obedience to jump in a controlled and precise manner. At all times the performance of the horse and rider are under strict veterinary supervision.
History of the Event Necarne Castle was built in the 17th Century and subsequently remodelled in the 1800s and is one of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture to remain in Ireland. Situated in an area of great natural beauty, it lies just north of Enniskillen, close to the village of Irvinestown, in the heart of Fermanagh’s Lakeland. The immediate surroundings of the castle comprise of over 200 acres of rolling pastures and a similar area of woodland, set out in the romantic manner of the 18th century. Well over £4 million has been invested in the Necarne estate, creating one of the finest equestrian centres in Europe – the Ulster Lakeland Equestrian Park. To-day this includes an impressive indoor arena with two cobbled courtyards, housing a magnificent stable complex, bar and catering facilities, visitor accommodation, a unique all weather dressage and jumping arena, within a walled garden, specially prepared grass arenas for show jumping and cross country courses – all of which are complimented by the Castle itself. The attractive façade of Necarne Castle provides a majestic backdrop for all equestrian activities. Fermanagh District Council is pleased to be associated with the 11th International Horse Trials to be held, at Necarne Castle, in September 2005. The Trials are one of Irelands foremost equestrian events and attract entries from all over the world. The magnificent purpose built facilities, set in the beautiful Fermanagh Lakeland, provide an ideal location for Three Day Eventing. The Event has gained a reputation as a challenging but friendly occasion and visitors can be assured of a warm Fermanagh welcome. Necarne Castle is situated close to Tourist Amenities including Lough Erne, The Marble Arch Caves, Belleek Pottery and many others. The Event provides an ideal opportunity for Sponsors to promote themselves and their products. Necarne Castle is managed by the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise [CAFRE] which is part of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for Northern Ireland. CAFRE has three campuses at Greenmount, Loughry and Enniskillen. At the Enniskillen Campus CAFRE aim to develop the competences and values of people working in the equine industry offering a full range of courses from First Diploma to Degree, as well as a number of short courses as part of the Lifelong Learning Programme. The superb equine facilities at Necarne Castle are used to deliver equitation and horse husbandry skills to students and are also made available to equine organisations to run a wide range of events and competitions. The first International Three Day Event was hosted at the Castle in 1994 and over the next ten years Necarne Castle has firmly established itself Internationally as a Centre of Excellence for equestrian sports.