WITH the visionary Michael Slattery at its helm, Clarecastle was always a show with a difference. And then this year, he upped the ante.

Noting the dwindling entries in broodmare and young horse classes over the past 40 years, since he showed his own Banner County and Irish mythology theme-named horses, Slattery redesigned Clarecastle.

Two master moves - bringing Michael Slavin from Tara and dropping the admission charges - paid off in abundance. The years rolled back listening to the commentary maestro, the voluntary donations box at the admission gate overflowed and catalogues sold out.

Families and spectators piled in and were still sitting round and chatting at the ample seating areas after the last of the classes, such was the gathering’s atmosphere and craic in the evening sunshine.

The attention to detail for the feature horse classes at this boutique show was flawless. From a draw for 11 stallion nominations for the Banner broodmare owners, the specially commissioned Brian Boru ceremonial sword and Ardagh Chalice replica pewter cup; silver ‘Clarecastle Medals’ medals awarded to three stalwarts of the Irish horse world: Valerie Thorington, Paddy Joe Foy and Michael Slavin, down to the water, Kit Kats and miniature bottles of Irishman whiskey handed out to the exhibitors by a superb team of stewards, all headed by Michael’s son Shane.

“It has been a hectic few months, preparing and presenting a show is time-consuming and challenging. However, we achieved our goals,” an elated Slattery remarked afterwards.

There will be one significant change for future shows: the Clarecastle GAA grounds, the show’s current home, will undergo major redevelopment from September so a new site will be needed.

Ideas and themes are already dreamed up for next year, but Sunday’s magnificent show has set people wondering: “How on earth do you top that?”