RECENT extremes in American Midwest and Australian climates have provided plenty of fuel for the most popular topic of conversation: the weather. It’s the one variable that can make or break an outdoor show and weather-wise, West Clare Horse Show probably could not have experienced two more contrasting show days in recent years.

Back in 2017, the Wild Atlantic Way lived up to its name when horizontal rain pelted in from the west on a ‘soft day’ that had few customers queueing at the forlorn ice cream van. Last summer’s heatwave saw the show field resembling a scorched prairie, umbrellas used instead for shade, exhibitors in short sleeves and the sight of some Belted Galloways standing in a nearby lake to stay cool.