THE Irish Horse Board hosted a reception at the HHS Horse Show in Co Kilkenny recently to honour three key figures from the Irish equestrian industry and to recognise the huge contribution they have made to the sport.

The first of those was Marion Hughes of Hughes Horse Stud, who is known across Ireland and internationally not only as an Olympic rider and international Grand Prix winner, but as one of the most influential and respected breeders in the world of show jumping.