WHAT a week this has been in Ballsbridge, and it ranks with the best of times each year in my calendar. The previous week had been a great one for the Galway races, and now we are into the home straight with the Dublin Horse Show.

There was simply no stopping the Swiss yesterday, their jumping being as precise at the workings of the famous watches. Ireland lost nothing in defeat, and their silver medal finish, together with some impeccable rounds of jumping, had the packed arena on their feet. The support they enjoy is brilliant, well deserved, and they fly the tricolour with distinction every time.

A special word of thanks to the team members, and the management, for giving so generously of their time again to spend an hour with readers of The Irish Field on Thursday morning. Our partnership with the InterContinental Hotel enables us to entertain our competition winners in some style, and memories of the day will be cherished by all who attended.

Advantage

Michael Blake forewarned us that we had most to fear from Switzerland, while still hoping that home advantage would swing the pendulum in our favour. It was not to be, but with yet another podium finish, our 12th of the year, it was still a Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy to remember.

The buzz throughout the showgrounds all week has been palpable, and congratulations to all who went home with rosettes, sashes and trophies. They will have their names published in lists of winners, and some will even make it on to the various rolls of honours. I was present on Thursday night when the Royal Dublin Society continued a relatively recent tradition of honouring people who have made an outstanding contribution to the RDS or to the greater equestrian community.

Innovate

This year there were three recipients, all of whom I can claim to know and to admire. Having spent my early childhood as a near neighbour, and later worked for a long period in Goffs, Mary McCann in Hartwell Stud has been ever-present in my life, and her dedication to Irish breeding, together with her ability to innovate, was acknowledged in the citation read by the RDS president, John Dardis.

Chris Ryan’s name can scarcely be mentioned without including the word Scarteen, and he is also someone who has dedicated himself to the world of eventing. In another sphere, that of volunteerism, few have made as great an impact as Mary Redmond. For a quarter of a century she wore the badge of chief steward in arrivals with grace and dedication. Well done to the two Marys and Chris. Your honours are well justified.