In a make-or-break year for several shows, Ballivor came out fighting to put its once-landmark fixture firmly back on the calendar.

Show chairman Peter Dargan was upbeat about the show’s future.

“It was great to welcome new and regular exhibitors back to Ballivor and for many owners, this show is on the road to Dublin,” Dargan said.

Two Ballivor champions well acquainted with Dublin success were Kieran Ryan, who had the champion ridden hunter Remy, by Harlequin Du Carel, and the Hurst Show Team’s young horse champion, the Porsch-sired Tattygare Something Special (Porsch).

Joan O’Connor’s yearling filly Greenhall Granuaile, by the late TB sire Frankfort Boy, was the filly champion.

Two purebred Connemaras – Pauline Costello’s Ashfield Troubadour and Leana Bartelink’s Poulcoin Spirit – won the working and show hunter pony titles respectively. Mini pony and miniature horse championship honours went to Margaret Miller’s Barkway Tittle Tattle and Owen Roberts’ Micatos Silver Star.

The side-saddle scene is also enjoying a revival and the Dublin qualifier attracted excellent entries with Gamespirit Japica and Vantage Point, partnered by Phoebe Lambe and Lesley Webb, topping the strong lineups.