Dublin Horse Show, referred to by the locals as the RDS (formerly the Royal Dublin Show) is one of the greatest events on the Equestrian calendar and with the Olympic Games following hot on its heels this year, there is a buzz and excitement as everyone wonders which of the Olympic riders we will see here - and today gave us our first look at the International competitors and horses with the opening class being The Speed Stakes - International Competition No.1.

As always, with an opening class, the riders tended to use it as a "look around" for themselves and their horses - a way of getting the feel of the magnificent grass arena in the Main Ring here at Dublin Horse Show, in the heart of Dublin City. Perhaps things might change for next year after the opening class today - a warm up might be advisable the day before the show officially opens as the opening riders in today's class were definitely "out for a school" when 5 out of the first 20 combinations opted to retire after the liverpool fence even though they had incurred no penalties - this doesn't make for an excitng class to watch - and Speed classes are the ones the general public love to watch and get excited about as they watch the times be beaten! Having said that the second lot of 20 combinations seemed more interested in sharing in the euro7,800 prize fund with euro2,550 going to the winner and they kicked up the pace! Then it was on for young and old with some serious and excellent Speed Class jumping and it was current World Champion, Dermott Lennon who really upped the stakes jumping a sensational clear round in 55.37secs much to the delight of the first day crowds today! Thirteen riders later and it was a fellow Irishman who knocked Dermott out of top spot - Capt. Shane Carey and Laughton's Lass upped the pace and shaved just under a second off Dermott's time. Again Ireland was to knock up a sensational time with Marion Hughes' round on Heritage O'Jessie just 12/100 sec behind Capt Carey. As we got closer to the last of the 80 combinations to start in this class Ireland's "speed demon" and his specialty speed horse ABC Landliebe came out and did exactly what was expected - clocked up an incredibly fast and clear round to grab the lead with 53.34secs in a round which looked as fast as it was!

So at this point it looked very much like it was going to be Ireland in 1st through to 4th placing - that was until the final rider of the class came through the finish flags to grab the lead and take his place at the head of the presentation lineup - Robert Smith for Great Britain riding Gerry Maguire clocked up an amazing 52.87secs in a round which was smooth and neat, taking turns others would only have fleetingly thought of and making them look so easy - in fact it wasn't until he came to the 4th last fence that anyone realised just how fast he had been going - a well deserved win on the super Clover Hill gelding formerly ridden by Irish International Eric Holstein.

Pictured left we see Conor Swail looking as if he is praying for a good round just before heading through the start flags!

DUBLIN HISTORICAL PIECE:
Conor Swail has not missed competing at a Dublin Horse Show since he first entered the show as a 6 year old - he is now 32 years old and no doubt the Main Arena feels like home to him after all these years!

Conor won this Speed Stakes in 2003 on Windgates Mystique but it was not to be his this year!

the 12 year old mare by John Henry, owned by Minstry for Defence.

Pictured below - Marion Hughes and the 1991 Laughton's Flight mare Heritage O'Jessie owned by Bernado Maoi.