By all accounts the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show was a big success last week. I haven’t seen an official figure for the total five-day attendance but my colleagues on The Irish Field stand, located just inside the main entrance, were sure that footfall was up each day.

Even though my knowledge of top-level equestrian sport is shaky, it was clear that many of the world’s top riders - and horses - were in town. I’ll admit I struggle with a lot of the horse names. Swiss rider Steve Guerdat’s Grand Prix winner Albfuehren’s Iashen Sitte doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue but at least two of the top four in Sunday’s €1 million event were Irish-bred.