THE first of two consecutive Eventing Ireland Northern Region one-day events at Hazeldene Farm was held in glorious weather conditions last Saturday when Andrew and Laura Napier organised a big screen so that spectators – and others if they had a break – could follow the cross-country action at Badminton, eating well and perhaps enjoying a cocktail or two at the same time.

As he had been out aggravating the course until midnight on Thursday and had spent the following day watering the track, Andrew Napier well deserved some time to relax at the close of play on Saturday. He gave up his rides on this occasion, but Laura took over on Hazeldene Elsa on whom she competed hors concours in the EI100.