ANYONE who arrived at Ballyvannon around noon last Saturday and saw people walking the course without jackets or even sitting around sunbathing wouldn’t have believed how cold it was for those who arrived early at the Co Antrim venue.

However, they might have gleaned a notion of what the temperature was like following a glance inside the Lightsource secretarial unit where two huge, wooly throws, kindly provided by the day’s hosts, the Glendinning family, had been finally cast aside by Dora Beacom and Jean Mitchell. Grace had even found a hot water bottle to keep Jean extra warm!

With so many other equestrian competitions taking place on Saturday, it was understandable but disappointing that this final event in the Northern Region didn’t attract a bigger entry. However, there was a great atmosphere mainly thanks to the efforts of the Region and the Glendinning team to mark Sarah Ennis’s return to the national circuit following her medal-winning performance at Tryon. Sarah clearly appreciated all that was done for her and the congratulations she received from everyone at the event.

Before Dora – like the swallows – heads off to sunnier climes for the winter, committee meetings are being held to finalise dates for the popular flexi-eventing series, next year’s one-day event dates and, of course, put together the final plans for the regional awards ball which, on its return to the La Mon Hotel, takes place on Saturday, November 17th.