FOR many young people in rural areas, the compulsory shutdown of schools and colleges due to coronavirus came at a perfect time with mares foaling and cows calving on busy farms nationwide.

For Cathal Shine (19) from Meelin, Co Cork, it proved especially timely. With WRS Sunshine entered for Irish Draught stallion inspections at Cavan Equestrian on March 10th and Cathal 136kms away at Kildalton College, studying Stud Management, the logistics could have been tricky. But with the college closure, that problem disappeared and after a long day, Sunshine returned home with a coveted Grade 1.