With that in mind, the Laois branch of the Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association has set out to ensure the day will be a pleasant day out for all concerned.

Starting at 11am, there will be three eventing competitions on the day.

Class 1 id open to Irish Draught horses up to five years of age, while class 2 is open to Irish Draughts aged six and upwards. Class 3 is open to horses that are a minimum of half-bred Irish Draught of traditional breeding.

The organisers say this competition is all about the horse and so a different rider can be used in each phase.

The dressage phase will be a freestyle test, with no rein back, and the movements confined to walk, trot and canter on both reins with circles and figures of eight.

The show jumping phase will consist of a course of 12 fences, including two doubles, of a maximum spread and height of 80cms for younger horses and 90cms for older horses. The cross-country track will be about a mile long, with 12-14 jumping efforts. The show will also include a fun obedience class, beginning at 3pm. This will involve a number of tests including mounting, loading, crossing obstacles and walking a tight lane.

Yvonne Croke will oversee the endurance class, which is confined to Irish Draughts. The 10-mile course is restricted to four-year-olds and older and will commence at 10.30am.

Entry forms can be downloaded from the website idbha.ie and should be returned, with the entry fee, before Monday, April 21st, to Kevin Croke, Inchanisky, Mountrath, Co Laois.