As the annual Connemara Pony Show gets under way in Clifden, organisers have announced the postponement of events on Thursday and Friday due to forecast adverse weather.
The news has caused upset and disappointment for both visitors and the local community.
Thousands of people are due in Clifden this week for the festival, which showcases Connemara Ponies on the international stage.
All of the ridden classes have been postponed on Thursday and Friday.
The postponed classes will now take place in Athenry at the end of September, making it the first time events for the show have taken place outside of Clifden.
Many have used social media to voice their anger at the decision, which they said will cause havoc with travel and accommodation plans, as well as booked stables for ponies.
There will also be a knock-on effect for the local economy, which relies heavily on summer tourism.
Daragh Ó Tuairisg, President of the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society, said that the move of part of the event to Athenry was an interim measure.
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, he agreed the show benefited the economy of Clifden and Conamara and dismissed rumours that it would be moved from the area permanently.
Mr Ó Tuairisg added there was a record number of entrants this year and that while everyone was disappointed by the postponement, hurricane Ernesto was not something they took lightly.
He said the decision was made for health and safety reasons.
"We have a duty of care to our competitors and the welfare of the ponies competing in the competitions Thursday and Friday," he said.
A statement emailed to entrants by the Connemara Pony Breeders' Society said tomorrow's schedule will still run as planned.
The show committee also asked that all those travelling and participating tomorrow to "ensure they check travel conditions" in the Conamara area before setting off on their journey.
Met Éireann says another spell of windy and very wet weather will come through on Thursday night bringing a chance of flooding in places.
The Connemara Pony Show is in its 99th year, with a record number of entrants for 2024.
However, there have been ongoing concerns about the condition of the showgrounds.
Inspections carried out on the surface quality of the sand arena earlier this year uncovered safety issues.
In a statement at the time, the CPBS said the costs of a new surface and drainage system would take money and time and that safety was paramount.
"The existing mixture of beach sand and other types of sand does not meet the necessary standards for a proper arena surface. To rectify this issue, the entire arena surface needs to be redone from scratch. Additionally, it has been identified that there is no existing drainage system beneath the surface," it said.
"This poses significant problems since the show grounds are located on a protected flood plain. Consequently, any water runoff from the arena must be carefully managed and collected to prevent it from entering the nearby river."
The postponed classes will now take place in Athenry at the end of September.
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