IT may not have been a heatwave but the weather gods were kind to Athlone Agricultural Show last Sunday when attracted a bumper attendance estimated to be up by 80% on recent years. With over 500 entries listed in the equine catalogue, all classes were well supported in the ridden, in-hand, Connemara and working hunter sections.

The first class was the RDS Breeders’ championship qualifier and, after much deliberation, judges Alistair Pim and George Chapman selected Derry Rothwell’s Greenhall Diamond Lady and her colt foal by Island Commando, Julie Radden’s Rose Garland and her filly foal by Dignified, and Paddy Gildea’s Grove Hill Heather and her colt foal by Lancelot.