ONE must-see exhibition at this year’s Dublin Horse Show commemorates the life and times of that wonderful horseman, the late Tommy Brennan, who was so synonymous with the RDS.

The exhibition, “Tommy Brennan: The Complete Horseman” was officially opened last Thursday by the RDS President, Matt Dempsey and a book, “Tommy - A Pictorial Memoir of Tommy Brennan’’ was launched by editor of The Irish Field, Leo Powell.

The exhibition itself will run until September 18th and is well worth a visit. From an incident of near drowning at the Olympics, to jumping over houses on horseback, to attending royal weddings, the life of Tommy Brennan was never dull.

Known as one of Ireland’s most gifted horsemen, Tommy graced the RDS many times. People from all over the country and beyond have donated photographs and memorabilia to the exhibition, which has a truly international flavour.

Included is the 1968 Mexico Olympics incident in which a flooded course saw Tommy rescued from a near drowning in a water jump by the then FEI president Prince Philip. Also featured will be the many times Brennan participated in the Dublin Horse Show, including the many highs of winning and the lows of having one of his best horses put down with only weeks to the Olympic Games. Tommy’s time as stud manager of Charlie Haughey’s Abbeyville, his successes as both rider and chef d’equipe for Ireland, his exploits with hunts around Ireland and his fraternising with royalty around the world will be included. Also featured are his successes in the world championships in 1966 on Kilkenny, who was sold soon after to American Jim Wofford, who in turn rode Kilkenny in two Olympic games and will be giving a masterclass on Friday, August 7th at the RDS.

At various times Tommy bred horses, managed a stud farm, rode point-to-point winners and was a bloodstock agent. He gained prominence at a world level for his course designs working for events in China, Australia and Qatar.

The exhibition also features a timeline of his career and includes photographs of Tommy Brennan in competition from a young age, as well as displaying his numerous medals and selected associated memorabilia that give just a flavour of his life.

Admission to the exhibition is free and open to the public (except during the Horse Show when the entrance fee to the show applies).