CLARE Abbott travelled to last Saturday’s event at Kilguilkey House with three horses but minus one groom as her mother Catherine headed off to The Netherlands with Dora Beacom and Jean Mitchell.

The trio are big fans of André Rieu and their mini-break took in one of the Dutch violinist/conductor’s open-air concerts in his home town of Maastricht. A bit like going to an event, they left early, catching a 7am flight to Schipol on Saturday after which they spent the day relaxing at their hotel in Austen.