The normally staid world of Irish one-day eventing was livened up at Monart on Sunday by a group of Italians who applauded their compatriots after dressage and show jumping and cheered them around the cross-country course.

Over the summer, up to 25 Italians are based at Carol Gee’s Fernhill Sport Horse Centre in Kilkenny and, of the present group, eight brought horses with them which were purchased in Ireland or sourced by Carol and her good friend Elisabetta Moranzoni.