NEXT week’s Dublin Horse Show is now just around the corner as we eagerly count down the days to one of the greatest horse shows on the planet as the five-star equine extravaganza takes centre stage at Ballsbridge and holds such a special place in our hearts and minds.

With horses in our national DNA, we are all in for a rollercoaster week at Dublin next week as our senior chef d’equipe Michael Blake’s top squad of Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam, Daniel Coyle, Mikey Pender and Michael Duffy will be going all out to retain the coveted Aga Khan Trophy on Nations Cup day next Friday. The atmosphere on Nations Cup day is like no other as the Army band strikes up and the roar of the capacity crowd rings out around the spectacular Main Arena.