ONE of the highlights for so many at the RDS Dublin Horse Show is the Racehorse to Riding Horse class. Now in its eighth year, and on next Saturday, August 12th old racing friends such as First Lieutenant, Sir Des Champs, Central House, Thousand Stars, Prince De Beauchene and many more will all be competing in the class sponsored by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing.

The class was introduced to showcase how former racehorses can adapt to another discipline, once they hang up their racing plates. The class also give spectators and fans an opportunity to see their racing heroes n action once again. Judges will be Jessica Harrington and Paul Carberry, a dynamic duo. They will be examined using the same judging methods used for the other showing classes: conformation, gait, movement, etc.

All the horses in Racehorse to Riding Horse class have been either bred or trained in Ireland and have combined winnings of millions. More talent showing includes recently retired runners, Rubi Light, Mossbank and Boston Bob, so this year’s crop will taking some sorting by the judges.

The Racehorse to Riding Horse class is also part of the Public Judging Competition that runs every day at the Show.

Visitors get a chance to win €1,000 by submitting their own judging selections and if they correspond with the those of the judges they are in with a chance of winning.

Entry forms and all public judging details will be made available on the day.

Hurler on the ditch

PUBLIC relations professional Brian Purcell, a keen equestrian, is used to being recognised in public from his days on The Apprentice as sidekick to Bill Cullen. So Brian was not too surprised when approached in Galway’s Eyre Square this week by a well-lubricated male. The exchange went like this:

Man: I recognise you!

BP: Oh, yeah?

Man: Yes, you played for Kilkenny! Jeez, you’re still in great shape!

BP: Ah yeah, I played a bit alright.

Man: What’s Cody like?

BP: Ah he’s sound, tough but fair.

Man: I partly guessed alright, enjoy the rest of your night!

Enjoy the hurling

THANKS to all who entered the competition for the Hurling for Cancer Research match on Tuesday, August 15th at 6.30pm in St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare with teams captained by Jim Bolger and Davy Russell ready to line out.

We had five family tickets up for grabs which are on the way to Philip Cunningham, Templemore, Co Tipperary, Pauline Allen, Gorey, Co Wexford, Anne Hurley, Conna, Co Cork, Paul Condon, Kildare town and Sinead Minchin. Bagenalstown, Co Carlow.

Congratulations, should be a good night.

All eyes on the RDS

RTÉ’s Nationwide will air a special on the Dublin Horse Show on Friday next August 11th at 7pm. Mary Fanning visited team Gowran Hunt Horses as they prepared for the final countdown and Mary Kennedy meets them at the Show. Mary Kennedy also takes meets Billy Twomey and his team and the programme went along to Bannow Rathangan show earlier this year to get their secret of success. The team will also follow RDS president, Bernie Brennan as her busy week unfolds.