The annual fair, which dates back centuries, sees hundreds of equine animals bought and sold.

The event also features cattle and sheep classes. In the cattle classes, the AIB Champion beast of the show went to Martin Clyne, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. While in the sheep classes, Marie Jennings from Hollymount Co Mayo won the Champion Sheep of the Show and the Reserve Champion.

The event takes place as new animal wefare guidelines for horses at gatherings and sales were launched by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney earlier this week.

The Minister said that the guidelines were produced by the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council (FAWAC) in an effort to assist all those who are responsible for ensuring the welfare of horses at fairs, marts and sales.

The Minister stated: “ By maintaining the recommendations in the guidelines, all those who are responsible for ensuring the welfare of horses at fairs, marts and sales can demonstrate their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of practice in horse welfare”.