THERE were a number of changes at last week’s 156th Balmoral show, some more obvious than others.

There were more Irish judges, there were small changes to the running order while qualifiers were held for the popular Irish Draught performance classes and both the Connemara flat and working hunter classes.

The weather was amazing. It was cool enough around the horse rings on Wednesday morning but then the sun blazed down in force and remained doing so for the rest of the week. Commentator Peter Quirke’s many announcements to wear a hat and use sunscreen were heeded by some.

There were major changes to the catalogue, with the sections being printed in programme order which worked well once you recognised the fact. It was good that there was just one index for all horse and pony exhibitors but the narrow print format didn’t work well and the fact that names were in section order took a while to work out.

The good weather attracted such large crowds that the catalogue sold out and was made available online. Horses’ names appeared in bold capital letters which was an excellent initiative but, for some, the type face was difficult to read. However, one has to remember that equestrianism is only a part of this huge agricultural show and the catalogue has to cover all. The show attracted a diverse group of people and, while the ‘Dancing Diggers’ did not go down well among most of the horsey set, there were others who really enjoyed them.

Tiernan Gill, chairman of the Irish Horse Board, won the youngstock championship on the Wednesday and then took the following day off as usual to visit all other sections of the show. “Balmoral is very early for breeding stock, and even youngstock, but it’s a lovely show and the variety is fantastic.”

One rider who didn’t get to enjoy Balmoral this year was Gwen Scott who worked-in her eight intended mounts at the showgrounds on Tuesday but then hurt her back badly when lifting one of her daughters out of the bath that evening.