Grace Mellett
Age: 11
From: Crossboyne, Claremorris, Co Mayo.
Competition: 128cm
Dublin Horse Show Experience: This is the first time I have qualified for the Dublin Horse Show, and I am so excited.
Pony: My pony’s name is Bronhuelog Ruben. He is a seven-year-old stallion. I started riding him at the beginning of this year, and I was delighted to get the opportunity from the Costello family to ride him. I have been really looking forward to this year, as it’s my last year in 128cm category.
Who help me get there? My Dad, Anthony, helps me the most, but I also get a lot of help from my trainer, Tommy Gibbons.
Qualified: I qualified at the second round in Barnadown after winning the class. Ten triple clears were delivered that day out of 62 starters.
Qualifiers can be very challenging, but I try my best to stay calm. It’s the biggest show in the country, and everyone would love to qualify.
What makes it the best show in the world for you? It’s the atmosphere and competing with the top riders.
Favourite competition in Dublin Horse Show? The Puissance is my favourite competition at the Horse Show.
Favourite international rider: Jessica Burke.
If you could ride any horse in competition which horse, would it be?
Kilkenny
If your horse/pony and you had a theme song, what would it be?
“Empire of the Sun – Alive”
Gwendolyn Bradford and He's A Touch of Magic \ Claire Nolan jumpinaction.net
Gwendolyn Bradford
Age: 12
From: Kildare
Competition: 128cm
Dublin Horse Show Experience: I’ve competed at the Horse Show once, when I was seven years old. I rode in the First Ridden class on my Welsh pony, Ronnie. This year will be my first-year show jumping in the RDS, so I’m very excited!
Pony: My pony’s name is Yummy (He’s A Touch of Magic), and he belongs to Annie Hughes Kennedy. Last year they came second in the RDS together. Yummy is a fantastic pony and looks after me so well - he really gave me confidence and helped me to jump bigger. He loves his stablemates Spicy, Sally and Billibob, and has a soft spot for carrots and Polo mints too!
Who helped you get there?: My coach Julie Ann Gaffney is amazing and comes to every show and really helps me to be a better rider. Cathleen Herbert is wonderful and has been teaching me for years, and Sorrell Klatzko is a brilliant dressage coach. My parents and brothers supported me as well, and of course, my friends from show jumping and pony club encouraged me and did so much to help which I really appreciate. Our au pair Pinja, from Finland, is always there to help me with the ponies.
Qualified: We qualified in the first round at Mullingar when we finished seventh out of 74. Yummy is such a superstar, he really tries and whenever I get into tricky spots he always helps me out of them. If I do get nervous, I try to tell myself that I’ve jumped way bigger in the past and that the course is tiny, but most of the time I just listen to the music on the loudspeaker and concentrate on the fences.
What makes it the best show in the world for you?
I think that the Dublin Horse Show is the best competition because of the high standard, gorgeous arenas and amazing people. My favourite international riders; Laura Kraut all the way! I love watching her ride and I think her gorgeous horses and bright show jacket and air vest are super unique and really show that she’s representing America. It was great meeting her at the RDS last year and I hope someday she’ll watch me jump as well as the other way around!
Favourite competition in Dublin Horse Show: The Puissance. I love watching the international riders jumping the huge wall and the tension and atmosphere is always great to witness. (But nothing beats the 128s!)
Is it about competing there or is it about the win?
Before the qualifiers, I just wanted the experience of getting to Dublin, but now that I know I’ll be competing there in August, I’ll definitely be trying to win!
If you could ride any horse in competition which horse, would it be?
I’d love to get the chance to take the reins on King Edward someday.
If your horse/pony and you had a theme song, what would it be? I think Yummy’s theme song would be “We on Top” by Photronique.!
If your horse/ pony could talk, what would it say about going to the Dublin Horse Show?
Yummy is used to the main arena at this point - he’s probably been in it more times than he’s been in my own one at home! But if he was able to talk, I think he’d be happy to go again, although he’d most likely say ‘Wow, I’m back!’
Rachel McAlinden and Knockash Flexi \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
Rachel McAlinden
Age 24
From: Loughrea, Co Galway
Competition: Amateurs
Dublin Horse Show Experience: After leaving school, completed a commerce degree and now working in Bank of Ireland. This will be the second time to compete at the Dublin Horse Show.
Horse: My mare is eight-year-old, by OBOS Quality. The sire of the dam is Flexabill, that’s why she is called Knockash Flexi. She is a super mare, careful and brave. We bred her and produced her ourselves.
Who help me get there: My parents help me the most. I also get help from my brother Daniel when he is home.
Qualified: It’s hard to qualify, even after three clear rounds, you’re not guaranteed a place. I qualified in the round in Killossery when I finished sixth out of 142 starters. I don’t have any mantra to keep calm. I think I’m a calm person most of the time, however my mare gets very anxious in the pocket so that can be a bit stressful
What makes it the best show in the world for you?: It’s the whole atmosphere and the buzz.
Is it about competing there or is it about the win?: It’s about competing, but a win or any placing would be nice!
Favourite competition in Dublin Horse Show: The Puissance, it’s a great class, the crowd really get involved
Favourite international rider: Laura Kraut.
Horse you would most like to ride if you could: Fellow Castlefield
Our theme song: Vida la Vida
Ruby Kelly and Its The Game Changer \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net
Ruby Kelly
Age: 13
From: Dublin
Competition: 138cm
Dublin Horse Show Experience: This will be my fourth time competing in the Dublin Horse Show.
Pony: RWS It’s the Game Changer. “Romeo”, as we call him at home was sent to us to be produced to sell by dad’s friend, Mick the Skip. He was put on Done Deal and no one called to look at him. We sold him to a family that we knew for their son Tyler to ride, and Tyler thankfully sold him back to us. The rest is history. He is only six and he is a super pony.
Qualified: I booked my ticket in the second round in Mullingar after finishing fifth out of 67. It not hard to qualify if you have the right pony!
Who helped me get there? My dad Dave helps me the most, we call him Coach Kelly and also my brothers, Ryan and Dave help me with the ponies. This year I got sponsored by the Undertaker and yes, that is his line of work! He gives me great support.
What makes it the best show in the world for you? The whole atmosphere, meeting up with my friends and the competition.
Is it about competing there or is it about the win? The win of course!
What is your favourite competition of the Show? The Aga Khan. I am so proud of the Irish Team when they parade out.
Who is your favourite international rider: Richard Vogel
If you could ride any horse in competition which horse, would it be? United Touch S.
If your pony and you had a theme song, what would it be? Thunderstruck
If you pony could talk, what would it say about going to the Dublin Horse Show? ‘Just another day!’
Emma Higgins and Ivana Heritage Z have qualified for the Dublin Horse Show
Emma Higgins
From: Cork
Age: 19
Dublin Horse Show experience: I qualified in 2022 in the Young Rider 110/1.15m.
Horse: Ivana Heritage Z, or to us she is “Zora”. Jumped to GP level. I have had Zora just over two years now, I bought her at the start of her seven-year-old and have moved up the heights together. At 17.1hh, she’s a gentle giant and a pet to deal with but also can switch it on when in the ring.
Who helped me get there? My coach Paul Beecher plays a key role in fine tuning my work, ensuring I have the precision and technical accuracy needed to get qualifiers over the line when it comes down to the wire. I’m lucky enough to have been stabled with Tom Busteed for the last five and half years, who is always there to give me a helping hand. My parents are definitely the backbone behind the operation, none of it would be possible without them.
Qualified: Everyone knows the hard work and dedication it takes to be lucky enough to take a spot in Dublin. Over the last few years, I have been close but not close enough so to get it over the line this year was an amazing feeling. At the qualifiers, I try to keep to myself and only take advice from those who know us best. J.P. Donovan helps me at the shows, after I walk the course with him and set my plan in place, I like to spend good time getting ready with Zora to prevent the panic of rushing.
What makes it the best show in the world for you?
It’s not very often you’re in a practice ring with the best in the sport so that has a special feeling and without doubt, the crowd at the Show is nothing like you get anywhere else.
Is it about competing or winning? Getting to Dublin is like winning for most but getting a win would be the cherry on top of course.
My favourite competition: Either the Aga Khan or the 128cm championship definitely stand out for me.
Favourite international rider: Niamh McEvoy
If you could ride any horse in competition which horse, would it be? Point Break
If your horse and you had a theme song, what would it be?
“You’ve got a friend in me”
If your horse could talk, what would it say about going to the Dublin Horse Show?
“Finally you got me here”
This article is taken from The Irish Field’s Dublin Horse Show Magazine 2026. Order your copy HERE