LEADING Irish dressage rider Kevin Acres, the national champion for 2023, is to break new ground next week when he competes for the first time at the Dublin Horse Show.

The Ballyfermot native, who is based at the McCarthy family’s Greenogue Equestrian, will be lining out in the large riding horse class in Ring 1 next Wednesday morning on the Irish Sport Horse mare Greenogue Dilly on whom Lucy McCarthy won in similar company at the Tattersalls Ireland July Show last Sunday.

“That was just the second time the mare competed in a show class,” commented Acres who is very much looking forward to his Dublin debut. “She’s a home-bred by Hector van d’Abdijhoeve out of a Darco mare who I competed at Elementary level at Marlton early last month while Lucy jumps her at 1.20m level.” Kevin’s showing career may be short-lived as Greenogue Dilly is on the market.

After you watch Kevin in his class - and perhaps the championship - you can then make your way over to Simmonscourt where, at 2pm, there will be a dressage demonstration featuring Tara Hayes, Amy McFarland, Louise Doheny and Erin McCoy.