LIVERPOOL International Horse Show’s popular combination of top-class show jumping and family entertainment again drew big crowds to the Echo Arena on Kings Dock and it was sad it was forced into a premature close due to a fire taking hold in the adjacent multi-storey car park.

Irish riders proved in tremendous form and British-based Peter Moloney got Ireland off to a great start courtesy of a brilliant win in the opening Horse & Country competition with Team Harmony’s Calimero Van’t Roth.