“DUBLIN is the show everyone dreams of as a child.” This was the opening comment from Trevor Breen at the annual The Irish Field Breakfast with the Stars on Thursday where 10 lucky readers got to meet their idols. His words rang true for everyone in the room, whether they were a pony club rider like Evie Holohan (pictured) or a medalled Olympian like Cian O’Connor. The winners of the prize were Una Holohan, Alison Barrett, Saoirse Hayes, Niamh McGrath and Cillian Gordon, who each brought a guest.

Breen, who was named as the reserve rider for Ireland’s Nations Cup team as the squad prepared for Friday’s battle with seven other nations, said he was happy to be in a supporting role on this occasion. “This year hasn’t gone exactly as I planned, but my horse Highland President has hit form at the right moment and I had a chat to (chef d’equipe) Jessica Kürten and I must say it was very, very special and hugely humbling to be invited to be part of it,” he said.

“Everyone is on the same page and we are all fighting towards the one goal, which is a victory tomorrow and a really strong team performance. Anything any of the guys need, they just have to ask. They all know what they’re doing, they’re very well mounted but I’m here and, if I get called upon, it’s my job to be ready and to bring my A game. It’s everyone’s dream to be at Dublin, the dream of every rider as a child and that still rings true today.”

Cian O’Connor with Una and Evie Holohan at The Irish Field's Breakfast with the Stars \ Lorraine O’Sullivan

MC Brendan McArdle next spoke to brothers Daniel and Jordan Coyle who were selected as first and second line riders on the Nations Cup team. “I have actually been in Trevor’s position three or four times, so it’s just amazing to get the jump on the team, and Farrell’s been in great shape this year so I’m looking forward to it,” Daniel said.

“He’s 16 years old now, and I’ve had him from eight years old, so I know the ins and outs of everything he’s thinking, and probably the same for him about me. You don’t just pick that up on the first show. Knowing them is the most important thing and I hope I can follow through on the day.”

His brother Jordan couldn’t speak highly enough of his horse Chaccolino. “My horse is amazing,” he said. “For sure the best horse I’ve ever had and it’s a privilege to get to ride him. Up until Dublin last year, he had done 12 five-star Grands Prix and he had 10 clear rounds, which is unbelievable. To get on the team here is for sure a privilege that everybody wants and I think half of Derry will be in Dublin for it. My parents will be there, they still come to every show and we will be hoping to do them proud.”

Third line rider Shane Sweetnam was also in attendance at the breakfast. “It’s always special to be part of the Aga Khan team, especially with the boys. I’ve been on teams with them before, so hopefully we can win on the 100th edition. Coriaan van Klapscheut Z is a great horse. He’s been having an unbelievable year and has had good preparation for this - his last two shows were Nations Cups, Rotterdam and Falsterbo, so he’s in the right place to perform.

“Dublin is always particularly special, We see friends from when we were kids and I joke about it now watching their kids jump in the ponies and the young riders that it’s like recycling! It’s special because you get to go back in time and you sort of feel like a kid again.”

Ahead of what was his 20th Aga Khan team appearance riding Kentucky TN, Cian O’Connor spoke of his role as anchorman. “You try and do your best wherever you go, I’m happy to go last. I like to watch a good few people go, that’s a benefit of going last, and you get to study the course well. There’s nobody coming behind you so you really try and do your best. Maybe going last puts the pressure on me, which I find is no harm.

“There’s a lot more atmosphere here than other shows, but it’s important not let the horses feel that and just keep everything steady, so you just try and get in your own zone and do your own thing.”

Jessica Kurten at The Irish Field's Breakfast with the Stars

Chef d’equipe Jessica Kürten was facing her first Irish Nations Cup on home soil since she took up the post of High Performance manager with Horse Sport Ireland. “I have to say, coming here first time in this job, having come to Dublin every year since I was nine, it’s such a special place to me. And we were just saying earlier that the other teams also consider the Aga Khan Trophy to be the ultimate. We do have a lot of team events through the year, but the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show is the one that everybody wants to win. I certainly felt a little bit nervous packing my suitcase to come here, but when everything got going, I really felt relaxed and in the flow. This morning, I’m really starting to feel the butterflies that I used to get myself when I was riding. I think we’re in a good place. What am I going to say to the lads before they go in? Well, jump clear, please!

“Certainly, the World Championships (in Aachen) is a huge goal for us. Obviously, I want to see the guys wearing a medal and, for the first time ever, we will see the horse owners also wearing a medal. This is our ultimate goal for this year, but we’d certainly like to take the Aga Khan Cup on the way!

“At Aachen, we need to be in the first six to get Olympic qualification, which is vitally important for us. We all live in the Olympic dream, so it’s vital that we gain that qualification and there is a lot of pressure on. The guys all look very relaxed here this morning, but believe me the last weeks and months they’ve been working very, very hard to be in top shape for next week. The pressure is on, but I feel very confident.”