Alison Healy
Tralee-born Annmarie Blennerhasset (32) was a popular winner of the Best Dressed Lady prize at today’s Dublin Horse Show.
Hundreds of women entered in the competition, queuing for hours to register and be interviewed in the competition but Ms Blennerhasset won the judges’ vote with her pale green vintage dress and cream and green Carol Kennelly hat.
The Dublin-based chartered accountant said she bought the dress for $95 online more than a year ago.
“I haven’t had a chance to wear it because I had a little boy two months ago,” she said. “This is one of my first big days out to be honest.”
She said she was aiming for the Grace Kelly look. “I love vintage looks, anything 1950s.”
The winner gets a trip for two to New York, worth €8,000. Prizes were also awarded for the most creative hat and most colourful outfit.
Ms Blennerhasset got engaged to her husband Jonathan in New York so her prize of a trip for two to the city will be a trip down memory lane.
“We haven’t been away in years,” she said.
It was a family affair for mother and daughter Angela and Stacey Caldwell from Banbridge, Co Down.
Mother of five Angela won the prize for the most colourful outfit while daughter Stacey was highly commended for her vintage outfit, topped by a 1950s swimming hat.
The most creative hat prize was won by Suzanne O’Brien from Adare, Co Limerick. Her hat, made with the help of her dad Tim, was a replica of the iconic RDS clock tower.
Danielle Gingell from Claremorris, Co Mayo won the prize for the most elegant outfit for her bottle green suit and veiled hat while Brendan Spratt from Marino, Dublin won the award for the best dressed man.
The judges werey Sky sports news presenter Rachel Wyse and actor Susan Loughnane and MC Brendan Courtney announced the winners this afternoon.
Entrants also included Sophie Shannon from Monkstown, Dublin who wore an Eiffel tower sculpture on her head. "It's just a hair band, so it's really easy to wear," she said, although she had trouble remembering to duck her head when going through doorways.
Meanwhile, the Irish team will be jumping last in tomorrow’s Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup competition .
The draw was made at the RDS this morning and Ireland's placing was welcomed by the team's chef d'equipe Robert Splaine who said it would give the Irish riders a chance to assess the competition.
Ireland won the Aga Khan trophy in the competition last year after an eight-year hiatus and Mr Splaine said they would be battling to retain that title. Eight nations are taking part in this year's event and will be competing in this order: Germany, Netherlands, Ukraine, USA, Britain, France, Spain and Ireland.
The Irish challenge got off to a good start at the opening day of the five-day event yesterday with Irish riders taking first place in both international feature classes.
Fast-rising star Bertram Allen (18) took the honours in the Sports Council Classic while Olympic Bronze medallist Cian O'Connor won the earlier Speed Stakes.
