It was a ‘can do’ attitude, Northern good humour and meticulous organisation that made Balmoral my show of the year choice in December 2019. Those same qualities shone through again when, after a surreal 18 months, Balmoral returned.

Yes, it was different. A September date instead of its traditional May slot. Less crowds. Covid-19 trappings, including hand sanitiser stations and masks, were visible everywhere. Each screened-off desk in an extended media centre came with a two-hour time limit and bottle of hand sanitiser. Alongside the main exhibition hall was a pop-up vaccination clinic.

Yes, there were some familiar faces missing, particularly amongst the older generation of showgoers. Still understandably cautious about mingling, instead they lived vicariously through livestream and online updates over the four days. But what was also present were the squeals of delight when old friends spotted one another, some settling for an awkward elbow bump or cautious handshake while others, banking on their vaccinated status, dived in for an overdue hug.

Amongst the ringside spectators, were two west Cork couples – Dominic and Cait McArdle and travelling companions, Consie and Mary Keohane – who left home at 3.30am for their annual pilgrimage.

To run Balmoral this year was not only a balancing act but the second brave decision by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS).

The first bold move was moving from the outgrown Kings Hall site to the new 65-acre Balmoral Park, outside Lisburn, in 2013. That balancing act continues by retaining heritage classes such as Clydesdale heavy horse and high-stepping Hackneys, alongside footfall-enticing entertainment such as motorcycle stunt riders.

Rhonda Geary, operations director at RUAS, had said last year that it was a difficult decision to cancel the 2020 show, but that the society had no choice.

This year, as the world gets back to normal, the timing felt right for the show to go ahead. As Simon Scott, who bred Bertram Allen’s Tokyo Olympics horse Pacino Amiro, said, while watching one of the main arena show jumping classes: “You just have to get on with it.”

Two owners who particularly appreciated the chance to win a Balmoral tricolour were Regina Daly and Daphne Tierney, respective owners of young horse and hunter champions Say No More (Chillout. Breeder: Anthony Sheridan) and Bloomfield Distinction (OBOS Quality. Jim Seymour). Daly’s champion was sold over the phone to UK owner Jill Day afterwards, another indication of the value of shows.

Another moment that summed up Balmoral 2021 took place ringside during the Irish Draught performance championship when Nigel and Charlotte Moore’s Tully’s Cherry (Skip And Sea), produced by Sammy Weston, became the fourth generation of Balmoral champions for her owner-breeders.

Reserve champion was Jenny Williams’ Gneeve King William (Treanlaur Rocky) bred by Ciaran and Leonie Quigley. The Ahascragh couple, who made a first-time trip to Balmoral with son Leo to watch ‘their’ horse, were amongst a number of Draught breeders to do so. Mayoman Michael O’Grady, from the foot of Croagh Patrick, was another. “I’m just a small breeder from the west of Ireland and to even see a horse you bred here at this show, never mind win his class, is unreal,” said Ciaran Quigley, whose day was crowned by a photo with champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Balmoral had to strike a financial and duty of care balancing act this year – 10/10 for effort.