As always the Cavan International Show is a highlight of the Irish showjumping calendar and riders come in from England and the continent for this exceptionally well run show with fabulous facilities.

Peter Gillespie was in from England to build excellent tracks for the week - and with such huge numbers in every class he asked some tough, but fair questions of both horses and riders.

The week consists of qualifying classes for horses from 4 year olds through to the International Grand Prix with finals being held on Sunday - and this is the day the excitement of the show is at its peak and this year was no exception.

The International Power and Speed, sponsored by Crosscarne Constructions had 71 starters bidding for the prize fund on offer and of this starting number 26 combinations made it through to the Speed section of the class with only 14 combinations jumping double clear, bringing it down to time being all important for a placing.

Second rider out, Conor O'Regan set the standard proving that both parts of the course could be jumped when he produced a double clear in 25.66secs putting the pressure on the following riders.

David Simpson and Cruise With Me were - pictured below left - the next to produce a double clear, after losing a shoe over the first fence but he still clocked up a good time of 27.03secs. David is still a Junior rider and one to watch for the future as he has a great feel for the sport.

After this we had to wait till another 8 combinations went through for a clear round from an English rider whose name wasn't on the list and I had trouble understanding the name of from the commentator - apologies for this - she clocked up an excellent time of 26.94secs.

Francis Connors, one of the classiest and most effective riders in the world, put in a superb round on Auto Cruz clocking up double clear in 23.27secs taking the provisional lead with a long way to go - but the crowd were definitely hoping he could hold the lead to the end!

The Minister for Defence's Captain David O'Brien and Kiltealy were the next double clear combination but their rime was a great deal more cautious and they stopped the clock at 31.98secs.

Pictured right - Francis Connors and Auto Cruz

Cian O'Connor came into the ring as rider number 23 in the class riding Zanoubia and he obviously had made the decision he wanted to win this class and he rode it that way, stopping the clock at 21.60secs

with all fences standing - the challenge was now on as every rider who got through to the Speed section was sure to try and take on O'Connor's time!

Norway was represented at Cavan this week by Stein Endresen - pictured below left - riding Only You and even though they weren't seen in the final lineup they rode a good round.

We then had to wait from rider number 23 into the ring until rider number 36 for another double clear and this time it came from Carl Curtis and Panacee and they finished with a time of 29.21secs.

English visitor, Jane Annett beat Cian O'Connor's time with Renkum L'Attitude - pictured below - but unfortunately the final fence in the Speed section fell leaving them with four faults in 21.39secs.

Edward Doyle was next to go with his new mount, Pamela, formerly form the O'Connor Swail Stables and they have formed an excellent partnership very quickly and this Power and Speed class showed just how good they are going to be next season - they clocked up a fabulous double clear which so nearly took the lead when the clock stopped at 22.81secs.

Sharon Quigley and Candle Queen clocked up a double clear in 25.05secs and it was a super round which was very controlled and neat and didn't look as fast as the final time said it was - a lovely round to watch.

Andrew Bourns and the very attractive Caprice were another of the 14 double clears in this class and they had a final time of 24.09secs.

Joanne Sloan Allen and the sensational Heritage Spirit - pictured below left - (on which the ride is shared by Joanne and Irish Olympian Marion Hughes) put in a super double clear in 27.41secs.

Linda Russell and Anyway 33 were inform today and clocked a double clear in the excellent time of 23.24secs and Carl Curtis and Mr George also went double clear in the great time of 23.92secs.

Ed Little and Pulserate were another double clear in 22,92secs who were well up with a chance of a placing at this stage of the class and with 8 combinations to go they finished up being the final double clear in the class.

The final placings were:

1st - Cian O'Connor and Zanoubia - clear - 21.60secs
2nd - Edward Doyle and Pamela - clear - 22.81secs
3rd - Edward Little and Pulserate - clear - 22.92secs
4th - Linda Russell and Anyway 33 - clear - 23.24secs
5th - Francis Connors and Auto Cruz - clear - 23.27secs
6th - Carl Curtis and Mr George - clear - 23.92secs
7th - Andrew Bourns and Caprice - clear - 24.09secs
8th - Sharon Quigley and Candle Queen - clear - 25.05secs
9th - Conor O'Regan and Agapantus - clear - 25.66secs