Drawing on the Royal Dublin Society’s unique photographic and manuscript archive this year’s library and audio exhibition will tell the story of the Dublin Horse Show in pictures, sound and images.

Meticulously researched by archivist Natasha Serne, it will attempt to bring the almost 150 years of this world class event back to life. Beginning with the iconic picture of its very first show jumping champion in Leinster House yard back in 1868 and coming right up to date with Ireland’s latest Aga Khan victory, it delves into some magic moments that leap out from this annual spectacle.

Its title ‘In Cold Blood of Wet Sawdust’ may seem a bit odd at first but in fact it is an apt description of the very first ‘leaping’ events in Leinster yard when torrential rain marred its inaugural running and when horses were jumping out of some soggy footing.

FARMER WAS FIRST CHAMPION

But finding his stride was a sheep farmer from Strokestown named Richard Flynn. Flynn was the first RDS show jumping champion, riding the bay gelding Shaun Rhua. There have been many champions since then and a selection of them will come back to life in this exhibition which will be launched on Thursday, 3 August and will run until 14 September.

This exhibition is not to be missed by visitors and is available free of change for its duration.

SEVENTIES TEAM HONOURED

On Friday, 4 August the Irish three-in-a-row winning Aga Khan team of 1977-79 will be honoured by the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland at a function in Croke Park Hotel sponsored by Devenish and supported by the hotel.

On hand for the event will be Eddie Macken, James Kernan, and Captain Con Power. The sadly deceased Paul Darragh will be represented by his wife Jane Darragh. Prior to the function the presentation group will visit the RDS main arena for a photo call and then head to Croke Park for the ceremony.

FAMOUS QUOTES

All of these riders who so delighted the Irish fans during that period have had remembered quotes attributed to them about these three wins. “The Cup almost broke my arm but by God it was worth it,” said Capt. Power who took the heavy golden trophy on the 1977 lap of honour.

Kernan was once quoted as saying: “In the Aga Khan you just do not make mistakes.”

Macken has always said “No matter what else you do during the year, it is your performance in the Aga Khan that counts most with the home crowd”.

And to Darragh, who rode the fiery Heather Honey, he noted: “That is just where I wanted to be – on a winning team at Dublin.”

Only twice in the 90 year history of the famous Cup has an Irish team won it outright. Previous to 1979 the great army team took it in 1937.

It will be recalled at the presentation ceremony that two former Army riders Colonels Sean Daly and Billy Ringrose acted as chef d’equipes for these historic wins.

Peter Byrne, President of the Association of Sports Journalists in Ireland tells us that this is an annual presentation event by their organisation which is affiliated with the worldwide body and that for many years they wanted this team to be a recipient.