After being listed as the opening Grand Prix in the IJM Timber Frame Grand Prix League, CoilOg were very disappointed to have to cancel the show due to the incredibly bad weather which struck Ireland in April - the SJAI rescheduled this event for Saturday, 21st May, 2005 and leading up to the event hopes were high for a perfect Saturday at this great venue - that was until the weather once again turned and everyone sat with fingers crossed that all would clear for Saturday morning.

Saturday morning shaped up not too badly but sadly for the riders, just as first rider in for the Grand Prix, the heavens decided to unleash their fury with lashing rain, hail and thunder - the conditions were far from favourable and Course Designer, Killian Clarke took this into consideration when he built his track for this leg of the IJM Timber Frame National Grand Prix League.

Speaking with Killian before the class started he explained that the spattering of rain added to Friday's downpour meant that the arena itself would cause enough of a test for both horse and rider and he did not need to add any technical lines which could only cause serious troubles, without being a true test - sensible decision which the riders were, no doubt, thankful for once the Grand Prix started.

The shame of the day was that Chris Byrne and his fabulous staff had the place looking a treat, complete with marquee ringside and a delicious feast available at very reasonable prices - the main grass arena looked a picture and the TV cameras were all there as this leg is to be televised on Irish TV.

The decking - pictured right - was the place to go for a cup of hot tea or coffee and a variety of fresh salads, burgers, etc. to to view the grass arena and watch the jumping from this great vantage point.

Course Designer, Killian Clarke - pictured below - ably assisted by his dad, Peter Clarke started the day relatively dry, but being old hands at Irish weather as the rains came they were kept well dry with waterproof pants, jackets and caps - they were not going to be dripping wet like many of us!

The numbers were not as high as usual for the outside rings classes but this was undoubtedly due to the clash of events with this Grand Prix having to be rescheduled - many of the young riders and juniors were in Limerick today for the second of the Dublin Horse Show qualifiers and this would have taken many who would normally be seen at this event in CoilOg today - plus there was an event in Barnadown, Gorey.

Add to this the Irish were again sending teams to both Samsung Nations Cup Shows and also to the Samsung Super League and the numbers were a little lower for the Grand Prix as well.

But that is not to say that the starters were not a competitive group with everyone wanting those all important league points.

The commentator for the day was the ever busy RTE sportscaster, Brendan McArdle and it is always nice to hear his dulcet tones over the speakers.

As always at shows everywhere in the world there are a great array of pooches who come in all shapes and sizes and this show was no different - other than to say that the dogs who came with their humans today were either a tougher bunch than others we have seen or their humans did not expect the lashing rain and hail we experienced because not a coat-clothed pooch did we see!

The following photos show some of the ones who caught our photographers attention.......