Easter Sunday looomed bright and glorious - the weather was perfection with a gentle breeze keeping the flags around the Barnadown grass arena flying.

Yes - unheard of in Ireland - jumping on grass at the beginning of April! As the word went around the previous Sunday that Barnadown would be on grass, riders everywhere were ringing their farriers to have stud holes put in!

The start list had 89 combinations listed but the final starters numbered 70 which was still a huge entry for such an early Grand Prix series.

Barnadown, just out of Gorey in County Wicklow was packed to the rafters with jumpers and spectators - being a holiday weekend there were plenty of tourists around and we were stopped in Gorey by people asking how to get to the showjumping, which is a great thing for our sport.

The sunshine brought the new season sunnies out - and this year big is definitely in!

There is also nothing nicer than seeing horses gleaming in the sunshine...........................

Lisbeg Farm, home to showjumper Andrew Bourns and parents Deidre and Richard, is a name well known in Ireland as a place to buy quality well produced and performed showjumping horses!

They are also known for well treated horses - and the spoiling includes a saunter in the sunlight - pictured left - for a pick of grass before being loaded up for the trip home!

Ross Mullholland, now riding for Linda Courtney - pictured right - , gets a word of advice before the Grand Prix.