THERE was a change in format to the traditional hunt chase at this year’s Dublin Horse Show. From the traditional four-member team of hunt members, teams of three made up of two adult members of mounted games riders and all-female hunt anchor riders. If the reception from the spectators in the stands in the RDS Main Arena is anything to go by, the new format, sponsored by Diageo, got their full endorsement.

It had all the essential ingredients: speed, excitement, dexterity, drama and of course, recovery. Commentators Tom Busteed and Conor O’Leary had the spectators in full voice and after the first round they did not need much more encouragement. It also honoured the spirit of the competition that Thady Ryan envisaged when he introduced the first event at the Dublin Horse Show over 50 years ago.