AMONGST the 22,000-plus spectators at the CHI Classics in Basel last week was Silvia Hofstetter. The Swiss native, from Aesch, runs Silvi’s Guesthouse in Borris, Co Carlow and, like many equestrian enthusiasts, makes an annual pilgrimage to the five-star show.

Her family has been buying Irish horses for over 40 years. “My father travelled to Ireland with his close friend Max Hauri, always to visit Seamus Hughes, who was Max’s best friend. A unique horse expert and breeder, Seamus knew every good horse in Ireland. I have the privilege of knowing many of the Hughes family members personally and value them all very much. They’re very successful horse breeders and also good friends of mine.