CLARE Abbott travelled to last Saturday’s event at Kilguilkey House with three horses but minus one groom as her mother Catherine headed off to The Netherlands with Dora Beacom and Jean Mitchell.

The trio are big fans of André Rieu and their mini-break took in one of the Dutch violinist/conductor’s open-air concerts in his home town of Maastricht. A bit like going to an event, they left early, catching a 7am flight to Schipol on Saturday after which they spent the day relaxing at their hotel in Austen.

Dora takes up the story: “Sunday was action-packed! After lunch, we travelled in a new luxury coach to Maastricht. We had a few free hours for shopping before we joined a river cruise down the Maas river to see the sights of Maastricht including Andre Rieu’s castle. We then enjoyed a very relaxed dinner before heading to Vrijthof Square for the concert which got underway at 9pm.

“We certainly enjoyed this unique performance by André Rieu and the Johann Strauss Orchestra, as well as soloists and special guest artists at the Vrijthof!

“This year David Hasselhoff of Knightrider and Baywatch fame made a surprise guest appearance, arriving on stage in his famous black Pontiac. He sang a number of songs and was joined by André in song and dance!

“It was an amazing party with waltzes, classical music, operetta, musicals and fireworks. The lighting was spectacular and the ambiance amazing. It was definitely an unforgettable evening and we didn’t get back to our hotel until 2am.

“On Monday, we moved to Amsterdam for a day of sightseeing, including a very educational canal cruise, before a late flight home.”

As there was a debrief on the Tattersalls International Horse Trials down in Co Meath on Tuesday, there was little chance of a lie-in but hopefully Catherine, Dora and Jean are well refreshed ahead of the today’s start of the second half of the Northern Region eventing season at Tullymurry.