THE unqualified success of the Millstreet Horse and Pony Championship Show that concluded on Sunday evening at the Green Glens Complex proved a fitting reward for organisers.

Ice cream and sun lotion were the order of the day on Sunday when the scorching sun added to the positive and cheerful mood at the picturesque location that hosted in excess of 80 events.

A festive atmosphere prevailed in the town once a cavalcade of horse trucks arrived earlier in the week. The economy of Millstreet was boosted significantly; it was only standing room in the town's pubs while restaurants and shops reported a bumper trade. And the 'no vacancy' signs had late comers seeking accommodation heading for Macroom and Mallow.

The show returned after a one-year lapse with impressive horse and pony entries. Show Director Noel C Duggan expressed delight at the success of the show, which was boosted by hugely encouraging entries, great attendances and fantastic competition.

"I feel like six foot-plus tall. It was a wonderful week in every respect and given the circumstances of rumours and threats, the entries were extraordinary. Owners and riders showed incredible loyalty on returning. To view the Indoor arena on Saturday night lifted the spirits. I'm delighted for Millstreet because the town definitely needs the show", he said.

"We look ahead to the Charity Pony Show in October and the prospect of running more horse shows in the calendar year", said Mr Duggan.

Sunday was designated family day and, under glorious sunshine, large attendances milled around the spacious complex to sample the best of equestrian action outdoors and indoors with the fringe events broadened to include crafts, entertainment and a children's jamboree involving face painting, bouncing castles and much more.

Competition wise, Waterford enjoyed better fortune in Millstreet than in Croke Park on sweeping to a memorable win. The €30,000 Grand Prix belonged to the partnership of Mark O'Sullivan and Merlin owned by Michael Monaghan. Operating on a sand based arena, only six riders emerged from the opening round with a starting field of 33. O'Sullivan and the 13 year old gelding put together an almost perfect second round, though picking up one time fault. In the jump off, Tralee's Sinéad Kennedy put down a marker to set the pace with two qualifiers. David Blake and Fabian attempted for a safe clear yet they had a fence down. O'Sullivan was keen for a clear and picked up the tempo during the closing stages only to go a fraction outside the time allocated. Co. Antrim's Linda Courtney had a chance aboard H Two but dropped a fence.

The Millstreet Derby saw the main arena buzz where the thrills and spills of a big course tested the resolve of both horse and rider. Typical of derbies, clear rounds were few and far between, Just two survived the first round and in the jump off, Lisa O'Farrell from Kilkenny set a formidable target with The Bodyguard with a clear. The nearest to challenge O'Farrell was promising Cork rider Orla Kelly aboard HHS Casablanca.

The intensity of the big hurling match in Croke Park was matched in the prestigious classes of the Young Irelander, National Discovery and Boomerang finals.

Gabriel Slattery from Mayo, riding his own Castlelawn Kannan, collected the prestigious Boomerang Championship a competition that identifies potential stars of the future.

The Young Irelander belonged to Willie McDonnell from Tipperary with another win for Mayo in the National Disccovery for the Gibbons family.

- JOHN TARRANT