THERE was much speculation and debate among those outside the Main Arena at the Tattersalls Ireland July show on Sunday as to which of the eight horses forward would be crowned champion hunter.

From the outside, it also appeared that the debate was even more intense between the two British judges, Joanna Jack (ride) and John Gilliver (conformation), who finally came down in favour of Debbie Harrod’s older lightweight class winner, Bannside Dancer, with the mediumweight winner, Keith Martin and Kate Boyce’s Rathmorrissey Lord Of The Dance, standing reserve.