2017 Dublin Horse Show Ends on a High

13 Aug 2017

 

The 2017 Dublin Horse Show ended in spectacular fashion today when Switzerland’s Werner Muff won the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland aboard Daimler during a very tense jump-off finish. The Zurich-based winner was second of nine riders to go in the jump-off and is the fourth Swiss winner of the Dublin Grand Prix. “I was afraid that I was a bit too slow, but I hung on. I galloped to the last because I thought I was too slow. I couldn’t watch the other riders, but it’s super to win.” Tipperary rider Dennis Lynch finished just a tenth of a second behind Werner to claim second place and all top five placed riders finished within a second of the winning time.

 

Longines International Rider of the Show went to former Rio Olympian Greg Broderick. The Tipperary man won two competitions during the week, Wednesday’s Speed Stakes and Thursday’s Speed Derby both with Zuidam and was placed in several other competitions. “I’m over the moon to win this. There’s been a lot of changes for me over the last year, a bit of transition year. Dublin means the world to all the Irish riders and the three horses I had here all performed very well and I’m just delighted to get this prize.”

 

Speaking on the closing day, Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of the RDS commented: “Everyone in the RDS is delighted that 2017 Show has been so successful. The show jumping was top class, the quality of the show classes was superb and the feedback from visitors has been very positive.” Speaking about the business of the Show he continued: “Advance ticket sales had been very strong as we approached the Show and continuing this visitor numbers have been steady all week with huge crowds attending the Main Arena. Anecdotally, we understand that many trade stands have enjoyed a very good year and our catering outlets were doing a brisk trade across the five days. The Dublin Horse Show costs over €4.5 million to operate and the support from sponsors both new and familiar is vital for its annual success. The Show also continues to be of considerable economic value to the city and to the equine industry alike.”