The showjumping at Punchestown saw a great programme for the spectators - unfortunately it clashes with the cross country phase which means that many who might like to watch the showjumping are torn in their decision and most who come to Punchestown will opt for the cross country.

But having said that - those who watched the jumping were thrilled with all the classes as they watched class horse and rider combinations negotiating Frank Glynn's very tough tracks. Frank is a "super bloke" but he builds a mean track which certainly requires precision jumping by both horse and rider - and having now watched his tracks jumped two weeks in a row, there is one thing you can guarantee - there are not going to be long drawn out jump offs because not many make it through that far. Frank's "trademark" is that he builds with height and technicality combined but he will tell you with the "sweetest and most innocent" look on his face that all fences are built to "printed height" - my answer to this is that I must have shrunk substantially in the past few months! Now all of this may sound like I am not being complimentary to Frank's courses but in fact I think that they make for the "best combinations" winning - there are no lucky breaks over a "Glynn track"!

The first class on the programme was the Welcome Stakes for 6 & 7 year old horses and we saw some future superstars jumping this class but when the final scores were in the win went to one of Ireland's "super jockeys" and he is only 15 years old - Darragh Kenny has a string of fabulous horses and he rides each one brilliantly, with a maturity on course which belies his age - this is a young man with a huge future in showjumping. Darragh won the class with Ramone, jumping double clear with a finishin time of 22.37secs. Coming in with double clear in 22.69secs and taking 2nd spot was Shane Breen and Dorada with third place going to Lt David O'Brien and Ringfort Cruise. Fourth went to Conor Swail and Kallie with double clear in 23.14secs,

Pictured left: the flags flew to welcome the visiting countries to Punchestown.

Below: The Course Designer, Frank Glynn deep in discussion with Course Builder Declan Moran and Showjumping Organiser Maureen Bagnall.

Below left: Harry Marshall's best "little mate" was off socialising while Harry was in the ring!

The second class of the day was the Young Rider's Grand Prix and again the quality and talent of these young riders proves that Ireland's future is in excellent hands - these riders are disciplined and talented riders with unbelievably talented horses.

First to go in the jump off was Darragh Kenny, this time aboard Mandana and they set the standard with a clear round in 28.66secs

posting notice to those following that they had to jump clear to move him down the placings - and that is exactly what the second rider out did! Sarah Kate Quinlivan jumped a clear round just pipping Darragh's time finishing with 28.29secs to take the lead.

Ivan Dalton and Cottage Fire were going great guns until the last combination caught this pair out and they finished with 4 faults in 28.71secs. Olive Clarke who won the opening IJM Timber Frame Grand Prix of the season was next to go with Spitfield and they posted just the four faults in 31.04secs.

Darragh Kenny was next to go on his second horse through to this jump off - a horse I have a particular passion for My Irish Paddy, the Irish Sport Horse by Rakish Paddy - today they had an uncharacteristic jump off round finishing with 8 faults in 28.75secs and that was the end of the five riders out of 25 who made it through to the jump off.

Dan Walsh riding Cian O'Connor's Calanda finished in 6th place as the fastest four faulter from the first round.

Photos below show some of these exceptionalYoung Riders in action at Punchestown in the Young Rider Grand Prix class.