The word was out on the street, that the second leg of the Guidam would find competitors and spectators well pleased with the new venue on the Irish Showjumping calendar!

And the word was dead right - James Kernan is an Irish International rider who has been to enough shows to know just what it is people want when they go to a show and he has incorporated all of that into his newly refurbished Kernan Equestrian Centre in Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh.

Our crew set off at the ungodly hour of 7am (which was really only 6am) on the morning of the time changing from winter to summer time, thinking that this was going to be a long and arduous journey from Arklow in County Wicklow - but this was the first surprise of the day - the trip was an easy drive on motorway for 95% of the drive - a drive which took us only 2.5 hours with a horse trailer attached.

The directions we had left us in Crossmaglen Village scratching our heads wondering how to find the Equestrian Centre - so we stopped into a shop and asked. The very friendly locals pointed us a half mile around the corner and there we were!

We were greeted by very friendly parking attendants who made sure everyone was parked neat and tidy to fit in maximum numbers - and this was the first clue that it would be a good day - friendly parking attendants who understood the needs of horses and horse people.

Off to the secretaries office and first up it was warm, so you could actually write to fill in the jumping tickets - and the room was full of laughter and friendliness.

Then we headed to the cafe which was upstairs - pictured below right - you walk in to a warm and welcoming space with wood floors and a very long wooden bar which has the distinct smell of fresh coffee brewing - and a huge floor to ceiling glass wall which overlooks the indoor arena.

The Indoor arena - pictured below left - is on the small side but with the ever clever Course Designing of Tom Holden, the jumping was excellent and this was helped by the excellent surface, which saw all the horses jumping so confidently.

With such a huge number of Young Riders and Juniors entered in the Guidam Grand Prix, selector Liam Buckley - pictured left - is seen at every show.

With the Junior and Young Rider European Championships looming, Ireland want to make sure they send the best team possible and want to make sure they are as well prepared as they can be to represent their country and have the honour of wearing the Green jacket complete with tri-colour flag.

A group of seven riders will be traveling to Moorsele in Belgium for the CSI-JUN show in a couple of weeks, under the care of Liam Buckley and John Ledingham. The riders going are Ailsing Doherty, COnor Drain, Peter Moloney, MIllie McIntyre, John Higgins, Frank Curran and Alex Duffy.

We wish them the best of luck.

Outside, the car park was a hive of activity with people getting horses ready all over the place - pictured left - Super Groom, Ian Melia, King of the Brasso prepares Jack Doyles horses to perfection!

While - pictured below - Frank Curran makes sure his saddle is spotless.