THE best week of the year is upon us. Come Monday, the annual pilgrimage will begin for many to the Dublin Horse Show and the streets of Ballsbridge will hear the ‘clip clop’ sound of horses again.

The Show never fails to capture the magic of horses in the capital city when attracting over 110,000 through the gates, and it was that magic that attracted Rolex to the venue. We hear from Show Director Pat Hanly on page six and he describes the moment when the huge timepiece brand knew they wanted to be part of the Show.

This year will be special for a number of reasons. Not only is it the first year of the €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix which has attracted some of the world’s best riders and newly crowned Olympic medallists (see preview on page 12-13), it is the final year of the iconic Anglesea stand. Work will begin on a €50 million revamp of the RDS campus after the Show and the stand is top of that list.

I know for many, including myself, it might have been the first place for you to see international show jumping and there is a certain nostalgia around its demolition. What will replace it though will be a completely state of the art stadium which will benefit the Show and spectators.

As well as that, the Underwriting Exchange have come on board as sponsors of the €250,000 Aga Khan Nations Cup and it is wonderful to see an Irish company who have been so supportive of Irish show jumping take on this new venture.

The show offers €1.4 million in prize money over the five days, while the spin-off from its activities is worth an estimated €50 million to the local Dublin economy.

Greg Broderick of Ballypatrick Stables \ Claire Nash

Previews

We are delighted to bring you this 40-page preview guide for this year’s Show. Whether you are interested in international show jumping, the amateur ranks, Irish Draughts, Connemaras or working hunter, we have you covered.

Lesley Hunter-Nolan talks to Pat Hanly on a range of topics around the Show, while Siobhan English visited Greg Broderick’s Ballypatrick Stables to hear abount the 17 horses they are taking to Dublin. There is also the great story of Kitty Concannon taking her Connemara ponies all the way from Inishbofin island in Connemara to the hallowed turf of the RDS.

Please visit us at The Irish Field stand at the Show, located as usual inside the front doors of the main hall. We would love to hear your feedback.

We wish everyone competing at the Show next week the very best of luck and enjoy the moment you have all worked so hard for. There is nothing like winning a rosette in Dublin!

Editor: Judith Faherty Deputy editor: Lesley Hunter-Nolan Editorial support: Bree Rutledge, Anne Marie Duff Contributors: Lesley Hunter-Nolan, Clare Silke, Siobhan English, Róisín Sheridan, Emer Bermingham, Noel Mullins, Dickie Power, Susan Finnerty, Margie McLoone, Clare Silke. Cover image: Siobhan English Photography Advertising: Brendan McArdle, Robyn Codd and Paul Callaghan Advertising production: Laura Tilson, Brian Morton, Isobel Hyland Production: Alex Conroy, Graham O’Neill, Anthony Murphy, Domhnall Dervan Circulation: Margaret O’Connor, David O’Connor, Chloe Lacey Printed by: The Irish Field for The Agricultural Trust.