DESPITE a protest by irate sulky cart drivers – annoyed that their traditional area to “flash’’ their ponies – had been ramped off by Galway County Council, huge crowds estimated at 80,000 flocked to Ballinasloe’s iconic fair this week.

Insurance worries lead the Co Council to make the move last weekend which went down like a lead balloon with the sulkies, leading to some tensions when a group of youths invaded the nearby lunging ring in protest and trapping some people in their vehicles.

However the presence of on-site gardai ensured that the situation did not escalate into anything serious and the show enjoyed a good week with plenty of traditional buying and selling activity.

As a result, the lunging competition is now set to be held today (Saturday) along with the mare and foal classes, bringing an end to the equine classes for this year’s event.

Michael Hughes of the Irish Shows Association described last Saturday as “a lovely show day, with five All-Ireland finals and a good, decent crowd at the show.”

BIG CROWDS

Ciara Croffy of Ballinasloe Show Committee added: “We had big crowds all week. The mare and foal classes and the pony and cob lunging competition are on Saturday, running in two arenas, starting at 11am.

“Saturday (today) is traditional country fair day and tomorrow we have the dog show, children’s competition and the arts and crafts.”

Ballinasloe Cllr Michael Finnerty (FG) told The Irish Field: “About 20 years ago, the sulkies could flash their horses anywhere at the show and so it was agreed they could have an area by the long wall at the end of the fair green and it would be railed off for their use.

“However, this year, due to insurance concerns, that was no longer the case and ramps were put in place to stop sulky racing take place in that area.

“Last weekend when the sulky drivers were told there was no place for them to flash their ponies as usual, they invaded the lunging ring in a kind of bareback protest. It had the potential to turn nasty but it didn’t, with the gardai close at hand but adopting a low-key approach. Nobody was hurt and there was no riot or anything like that.

“Trade was brisk throughout at the show with plenty of British buyers over taking advantage of the strong sterling and the reasonable prices. Ballinasloe is the home of the horse and this is what we pride ourselves in.

“The horse is welcome in Ballinasloe – what is not acceptable is some guy riding his poor horse into Tesco, things like that should not happen and in fairness, the Department of Agriculture and Galway County Council are tidying it up between passport checks and all the rest,” added Cllr Finnerty.

Galway County Council hold a review after the fair each year and already, at this early stage, it’s understood that the Department officials and the gardaí have submitted reports into that process.