RDS FAMILIES:BIRDS OF A feather flock together in the showjumping world. With the Hanley family of Claremorris, Co Mayo, there are no fewer than five members competing at the RDS this year, from ponies to the international classes.
Equally the Moloney family from Kilkenny are long-standing competitors in the RDS each year.
German-based international rider Cameron Hanley has been supporting his brother Carl, who won the seven-year-olds on Wednesday, and was cheering on his nieces and nephews in ponies and young riders.
Cameron's nephew Eric Glynn (17) was eighth in the young riders yesterday while his niece Lydia Glynn (12) is in the 128cm pony class today. They are the children of Frankie and Amanda, who is Cameron's sister.
Cormac Hanley jnr (11), son of Charles and Sinéad Hanley, has also qualified for the 138cm pony final.
"We are all involved in the sport and have been competing here since we were children and now our children are following in the tradition," Charles said.
Grandparents Cormac and Eleanor Hanley have been chasing all their family between arenas at Simmonscourt and the international classes for years, in addition to following Cameron on the world circuit.
Cameron, who rides for the Sebanci family equestrian team in Istanbul, said: "Dublin week keeps us all on our toes, but we support each other at all times running between arenas."
The Moloney family from Warrington Equestrian Centre in Kilkenny have about 19 horses between them competing in the RDS.
Tom Moloney snr has been producing showjumpers at the RDS for years.
"It's always a highlight in our calendar coming to Dublin; my children Tom, Eddie, Ellie and Richie are kept busy, we like to buy local Irish horses as youngsters and train and produce them to excel in Dublin.
"We are having a successful week here with our horses in the ribbons," Mr Moloney added.