The feature event of the 5 day November show in Cavan is always the Grand Prix and it is the last class of the show - the riders are tired and the horses are too so this last test is a big ask on everyone - and this includes the ring crews and course designers who work long and hard days.

The other exhausted people are the Clarke family who own and operate Cavan Equestrian and they run the office and keep everything happening so smoothly.

Thirty nine combinations lined up for starters orders and the class got under way at just after 7.30pm and the place was buzzing with excitement and space ringside was at a premium as always. Brendan McArdle was our commentator for the class and he raomed around chatting with riders as they walked the course getting their impressions of Peter Gillespie's track - with most riders saying that Peter had built a tall,wide and tough track and that clear rounds were going to be far and few between.

Junior rider, Benny Kuehnle catches up for a chat with Young Rider, Sarah Jane Tracy - pictured left - as she walks the grand Prix course.

Sarah Jane jumped exceptionally well this week in the International classes on Holmestead Little Lancer and has made her sponsors, Holmestead saddlery very proud indeed of her achievement on home soil!
The English riders - pictured right - came over to try their luck on Irish soil and many had good results.
Three young ladies - pictured left - who have banded together to help with course walk are (from left to right) Tara Dunne, Delyth Collins and Olive Clarke. All three women have been jumping so well all season with olive Clarke to be honoured with Autumn League National Grand Prix Champion at the Showjumpers Ball at the end of the month.
Something you don't often see from the usually very serious, Captain Shane Carey - pictured right - having a good laugh with fellow Army rider, Brian Curran-Cournane as he walks the course.

Robert Splaine - pictured left - competitive on the International circuit has been named in the media as the Chef d'equip for the Irish teams on international duty - although as we understand it, no contracts have yet been signed and until this is the case nothing is firm.

It would be a great shame for Ireland to lose an International rider of Robert's caliber as he would surely not be able to compete and be Chef d'equip as this would be an almost impossible task to be able to do justice to both jobs.
Brendan McArdle - pictured right - brings knowledge and humour to his commentary and his obvious rapport with the riders makes him an excellent commentator.
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