THOUSANDS of mourners are expected to turn out in Foxford, Co Mayo, this weekend to pay their respects to 25-year-old Jack Dodd, who tragically passed away on Wednesday.

The news of his passing shocked the equestrian community at home and abroad, with tributes flooding in from all over the world, a mark of just how well loved and respected the young Mayo show jumper was.

The Foxford native was involved in a single car collision near Weert in Holland last Wednesday and despite a very brave fight for his life, he passed away seven days later at Maastricht University Hospital from his injuries.

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Jack’s remains returned home to Mayo yesterday (Friday) evening, landing at Knock Airport where a large crowd of family and friends had gathered to support his parents, David and Trish, and receive Jack home.

He will be waked at his family home and will repose at McGowan's funeral home, Ballina on Monday evening from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. Funeral will arrive at St. Patrick's Church on Tuesday morning for 11am requiem mass followed by burial in Leigue cemetery, Ballina.

Close family friend and neighbour Liam Geddes said: “Everyone’s hearts go out to Trish and David on the very tragic loss of their beloved son Jack. It’s absolutely heart-breaking to lose Jack, a wonderful son and friend to so many. He was a lovely young man who had so much going for him. He took on a lot of responsibility building his own business in Europe and was very hard-working.

“Jack was the nicest young man anyone could ever meet, polite and yet, he could be very comic. He had a great way about him, loved his parents and his horses.”

RARE TALENT

Jack Dodd went to school in his native Foxford and learned his show jumping trade at his parents’ Coolcronan Equestrian Centre before embarking on his professional career.

His talent was noticed from a very young age and in 2007 he was a member of the Children on Horses team which won a silver medal at the European Championships in Istanbul.

He spent a year working for Shane Breen during transition year at school, before going on to spend time with Cian O’Connor, Cameron Hanley and Bertram Allen.

It was in 2016, while riding at Allen’s yard, that he was accepted into the hugely prestigious international Young Riders Academy and there he thrived, making even more friends and striking up a successful partnership with Belgium’s Jos Lansink.

After six months training and working with Lansink, Jack set up his open business ‘Jack Dodd Stables’ at the end of last summer in Balen, Belgium, where he had built up a list of clients and promising horses.

In 2017, Jack attended the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he spoke passionately about how important the FEI Nations Cup series is in helping young riders make the breakthrough at the top level.

In an interview with The Irish Field in September 2017, Jack said: “Long term the plan is simple. I’m going to do all I can to get to the top of the sport and be a part of the Irish team.”

Described by development show jumping team manager Michael Blake as “one of life’s great guys”, the number of tributes paid to Dodd in the aftermath of his death has been in the thousands, a true reflection on the person he was.

He will be truly missed.

Turn to page A62 to read tributes to Jack Dodd