When I contacted Fionn Clarke on Monday evening to explain how the gremlins had been at work during the compilation of last Saturday’s issue, I disturbed her packing to leave for Germany the following morning.

Fionn, who was flying out with her mother Jane, is one of a large squad of Irish riders competing in the Future Champions’ show in Hagen. She is riding the 11-year-old Sharifabad gelding Knockroe Little Mike who had been entered for Tattersalls before it was decided to return the bay to pure show jumping.