IT was very disappointing to see an entry of just seven horses in total for the Ulster Bank Clydesdale section of last week’s Balmoral Show with one less coming before Scottish judge Janette Farley in the P&O Arena just after noon on Friday.

Ten years ago, 39 horses were entered and the classes attracted a large and knowledgeable ringside audience who had followed the families over the years. Costs are often given as a reason owners are not entering with their horses while, following two years off the county show circuit, exhibitors are perhaps just taking their time returning to the ring.

Macfin Clydesdales of Ballymoney claimed the championship and reserve with, respectively, their two-year-old filly, Macfin Delta Dawn, and their three-year-old yeld mare, Macfin Dancing Queen, both of whom are by the Alex Brown-bred Bratlach Dillon stallion, Muirton Sabre.

The champion is out of Macfin Crystal Gail, a multiple winner on the local circuit, while the reserve’s dam, Macfin Diamond Queen, was champion here three times in succession and won at the Royal Highland Show in 2016.

The young handlers class, sponsored by Macfin Clydesdales, was won by Christina McClarnon who showed Nicholas Jenkins’s three-year-old Carnafff Churchhill Sir James gelding, Knockmore Sam.