IRELAND has long celebrated international successes in eventing and show jumping, but dressage sometimes struggled at the top level. “There is a longer history of show jumping and eventing in Ireland, they have bigger numbers, more established breeding and production programmes,” commented Anne Marie Dunphy. “We are still a relatively small developing dressage nation, but gaining momentum all the time. While the other disciplines may dominate in terms of strength and depth, it is important to recognise the success of our top dressage athletes at international and Olympic level to date and the importance of the High Performance Pathway going forwards.”

Having competed internationally for many years, the Kilkenny native is now one of Ireland’s leading dressage coaches. First-hand, she sees the excellent progress Irish riders are making in the discipline.