The judges are looking for the best person to take the M. Michael Meller Style Award, in memory of Mary Duff, which will be presented to the person who exemplifies true sportsmanship at all times at the show.

The winner of the M. Michael Meller Style perpetual trophy will be selected and judged on their performance and attitude both inside and outside of the competition ring over the course of the show. To be considered, riders must demonstrate respectfulness and courteousness to all, including their equine partners at all times, as well as a demonstrating determination and passion to win.

“The award is about recognising when a person in our sport makes a real effort in everything they do, from riding their horse and dealing with other people around them. The winner is not always the winner of the class but someone who really tries in all aspects,” said Meller, who is in Ireland this week to attend the show at Coilóg.

Based in Florida, Meller is a partner in E2 Showjumpers LLC with Katherine Gallagher. The company is also sponsoring the €4,000 National Grand Prix class at the show, which Coilóg has re-named the Katherine A. Gallagher Summer National Grand Prix.

E2 Showjumpers specialises in sourcing young show jumpers in Europe and throughout the world for its own team and for other clients. As well as the Coilóg Grand Prix, it is understood the company has signed a deal to sponsor the young riders class at the 2014 Dublin Horse Show.

E2 Showjumpers has horses jumping in America under Peter Lutz and in Ireland with Stacey Babes and Dan Walsh.

“Our goal [in investing in Ireland] is to encourage the making of very nice young horses so that we can increase the depth of our team all the way from young horses to international Grand Prix level,” said Meller.

“There is nowhere in the US to make up a young horse like you can in Ireland. Financially, we find you get more bang for your buck in Ireland, but you also get more expertise and people who care about the horses here,” he added.