IT had it all – drama, excitement, disappointment, and rounds that were separated by ‘a coat of paint’. The privilege of riding in the Main Arena at the Dublin Horse Show is a dream come true for each and every competitor. It is a place where show jumping legends, Olympians, and international greats of Aga Khan teams from all over the world have graced this hallowed turf since 1881.

It was noticeable how the hunt chase teams this year in particular respected that distinctive honour, particularly in the parade where they stayed in formation, and also between rounds, respecting the ground surface and the constant challenge to keep it in pristine condition for show jumping, Leinster Rugby and international entertainment. The teams in the final had campaigned long and hard in qualifiers around the country to reach the final.

Commentator Tom Busteed, better known in the horseracing world, did his usual warm-up act, getting the spectators in fine voice and trying to outdo each other with the volume of encouragement in the Main Arena. And he reminded the spectators of many members of former teams, like the great horseman 86-year-old Jack Lambert who was viewing the contest from the pocket with hunting friends from the Genesee Valley Hunt in the USA, Ann Morss and Cori Oehley.

The first round began with the Killinick against neighbours the Scar. No quarter was given with the current champions the Killinick with strong riders Johnny Roche, Benny Walsh, Kerra Walsh and James Rath taking another scalp with their usual ease. Donegal then took on the Longfords and came out on top as did the Louth Foxhounds over the Fingal Harriers. Again the Wexfords showed they are no push over as they were done and dusted.

The Wards anchor rider Graham Quinn was in all kinds of trouble at both ends of the arena. The knockable fence near the finish did its job, as it had to be renegotiated if it hit the floor. But maybe the addition of bending poles like at Balmoral Show would test the riders and slow them down even more.

BEST FINAL FOR YEARS

In the quarter finals, the Killinick dismissed the Donegal, and Wexford accounted for the Louths. So with just enough time to catch their breaths, the final was on with neighbouring hunts the Killinick doing battle with the Wexfords. This was no walkover and was probably the best final in living memory with the width of a ‘coat of paint’ between any of the riders.

Johnny Roches of the Killinicks neck and neck with Wexfords Frank Barron. Benny Walsh like a man possessed challenging Gary Murphy, Kerra Walsh always perfectly balanced regardless of the speed she was travelling against Katie Stafford. Indeed Keira Walsh saved the day for the Killinicks, stretching so far to achieve a perfect handover of the hunting horn that she defied the laws of gravity as she fell in the corral. It was an amazing feat of dexterity in mid-air managing to get the hunting horn to Killinicks anchor men James Rath.

You just could not call it as Killinicks James Rath cut corners, and between fences made and also lost ground against Wexford’s Shane O’Brien with the knockable fence playing its part in the final run for home. But Rath did the business over the final 20 yards for the Killinicks.

Jack Harte, marketing manager of sponsors Diageo and RDS President Bernie Brennan presented the magnificent Thady Ryan Perpetual Trophy to the winners, the Killinick Harriers from Wexford who seem to making a habit of winning at the Dublin Horse Show.