ADMITTEDLY, there was only a small amount of rain at Tyrella last Saturday but special mention must be made of all those stewards who had to stand out in the bitter, driving wind as the huge entry went through their three phases.

Annette McCracken, who had been on duty at Tyrella (2), generously acted as cross-country call-up steward again on Saturday. Enveloped in layers upon layers of clothing, she was in place before the phase started at its scheduled time of 11.40am until it was over, seven hours later. Sponsor of the CNCJ* through his Co Monaghan firm Wilkie & Flanagan Solicitors, Alan Wilkie spent most of his day at the event working alongside Doreen Johnston as one of the call-up stewards for show jumping. He was accompanied to the Corbett family’s estate by his wife Michelle who stepped into the role of jumping scribe for the day.