WHAT a time for Irish show jumping last weekend, from Abu Dhabi to America and back to Europe – five Grand Prix wins from one-star to five-star level, and a five-star Nations Cup win. Hats off to Michael Blake who, just days after it was announced he would lead Ireland to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, got the squad off to the perfect start for 2022 in Abu Dhabi.

Anyone who has met Michael, knows how passionate he is about this sport. He gives it every inch of his attention, and has done for many years, be it as a facilitator of young rider bursaries, a youth coach, assistant manager or senior chef d’equipe.

As for the riders – Shane and Trevor Breen, Jack Ryan and David Simpson – they were top class. Six clears from eight rounds is a decent statistic, and double clears from Ryan and Simpson. So much has been written about the talent of 20-year-old Jack Ryan at this stage, and this week he was voted the Gain Equine Star of the Month for December.

Our hunting correspondent Dickie Power was getting live updates straight from Abu Dhabi last Sunday as Shane and Trevor’s father, John Breen, was out hunting with the Tipperary Harriers, on a four-year-old no less! You can read more about that on page 91.

Relief

Speaking of hunting, there was a sigh of relief this week when it was announced on Tuesday that an insurance scheme had been secured, and it was good to see packs back out the very next day!

While there are still some concerns lingering from some packs and we will continue to being you all the information, the good news is that landowners are indemnified and the majority of packs are back up and running. If you are hunting this weekend, have fun, make the most of it and kick on!