ON the eve of Friday’s Aga Khan Nations Cup at the RDS, Horse Sport Ireland hosted an owners reception at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin to recognise the huge role played by owners in supporting the Irish show jumping team and also honoured three former chefs d’equipe.

The evening began with Horse Sport Ireland international marketing director Elaine Hatton welcoming guests and thanking Irish show jumping team sponsors Devenish and The Underwriting Exchange and new Team Ireland clothing sponsor Equiline for their huge support.

Irish show jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa spoke to those in attendance, and about the vital role owners play in the success of the Irish Show Jumping team, before making a special presentation, with Paul Corson from Dubarry, to each of the owners of the horses on the 2017 Irish Aga Khan squad.

HALL OF FAME

Horse Sport Ireland Hall of Fame Awards were then presented to three past chefs d’equipe of the Irish show jumping team.

Robert Splaine, Tommy Wade and Colonel Ned Campion were presented with specially commissioned medals by Rodrigo Pessoa.

Capt John Ledingham presented the Horse Sport Ireland 2017 Special Recognition award to Liam Moggin, who has been involved with the Horse Sport Ireland Coaching Programme since its inception.