In a stunning opening to Kill International Equestrian Centre's new addition to the showjumping calendar entries were huge and the show ran like clockwork - with not a glitch to be found - well unless you call the "area power out" a glitch during the running of a class on Sunday - but all credit to the power company and the power was back on before anyone missed out on a hot cup of tea or a delicious burger from the food van located perfectly at ringside in out of the cold and wet.

Kill International is an incredible competition venue with the most amazing surfaces on all arenas and the Flannelly family are to be congratulated on this superb venue - and have it on good authority that the 2004 season will be full of fantastic events and from the numbers at the Leinster Indoor Championships it is obvious that the riders are looking forward to supporting this venue.

Fintan Flannelly Jnr is to be congratulated on this event which was his "brainchild" and he made it all happen so well - thanks must also go to all the Kill International staff who were helpful and friendly at all times despite the obvious long hours they were putting in, making sure that the place was spotless at all times and being on hand to point people in the right direction when they looked a "little lost".

A special mention must be made of Claire Kelly who ran the Secretary's office brilliantly - she kept a smile on her face no matter what was happening around her - and she made sure that each event was well organised and made sure that both Jan and Maggs from jumpingaround.com had all the necessary draw sheets for all classes - thankyou Claire!

There were many highlights from this show but surely the most moving one was the presentation to the Special Olympian Equestrians - the Special Olympics was an event very dear to the heart of the Kathleen Flannelly and Fintan Flannelly Jnr worked tirelessly for many months to ensure that the rebuild of the Centre was completed in time and that the Equestrian events of the Special Olympic World Games went off without a hitch - we were privileged to be at this event and meet many of the athletes who really are very special people.

It was by some coincidence that 6 of the medal winning team members of the Irish Equestrian team were from the Leinster Region and Fintan Flannelly thought that the Leinster Indoor Championships was a fitting time to honour these athletes - a presentation was made to the 6 competitors but the most moving moment of all was definitely the "photo call" which saw the 6 medal winners on the podium with all the Grand Prix competitors who were about to ride for the title of Leinster Indoor Grand Prix Champion. The pride on all the faces at being part of this special moment is evident for all to see.