CLARECASTLE Show proved to be a huge hit last Sunday and amongst its many highlights was a reunion between three great individuals of the Irish horse world: show chairman Michael Slattery; journalist Michael Slavin and Michael Hughes, the Irish Shows Association (ISA) former chairman and national secretary.

Michael Slavin was one of this year’s recipients of the ‘Clarecastle medal’, together with Colin Diamond’s breeder Valerie Thorington and Paddy Joe Foy, from Westport, for their contribution to Irish equestrianism.

“The man from Tara” was not only persuaded to take up the microphone again to commentate on the Brian Boru young horse classes but to round off the day with a rousing rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”.

His Clarecastle co-commentator Susan Finnerty reckons that it was Ballinasloe Show in 1987 when the pair first worked together. “I was the go-fer and pedigree nerd Robin to his Batman and I learnt from the best,” she said.

For all the brainpower combined on Sunday, one event escaped unnoticed. It turns out it was Michael Hughes 79th birthday on Monday. The Irish Field and Michael’s many friends in the show world will undoubtedly join in belated birthday wishes to another lovely character and one-third of Sunday’s “Three Michaels”.