Day three: Delighted Irish showjumping supporters were celebrating far into the night after Ireland's surprise victory in the Aga Khan Challenge Trophy yesterday.
Most people thought the coveted prize would have been on its way to Paris.
In the end the French had to settle for second place and the British, who had been second favourites for the competition, were forced back into third place which they shared with the USA.
The memorable eve of the Olympics win before a capacity crowd at the RDS was being hailed as a major boost for the Irish team on its way to Athens following the dissention which has left the Irish team struggling
in recent competitions.
History was made in many ways yesterday because for the first time the Irish team had no Irish-bred horses and there were no Irish-bred horses on the
British team either for the first time.
Most of the horses jumping for their countries were bred either
in Germany, the Netherlands or France.
However, the winning of the event for the 21st time by Ireland was being treated as a good omen for the Olympics and for the future fortune of the Irish team under its new trainer, Eddie Macken.
He said that yesterday's win was deserved and went on to tell a press conference that Ireland would have "a realistic" chance of picking up medals at the Olympics. He confessed to being under pressure at the show
yesterday but said the Irish win had given him great satisfaction.
There were other “firsts “at the showgrounds yesterday where the 131st horse show was being staged.
Donations made to the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were stolen overnight, much to the annoyance of both the ISPCA and
the RDS, which prides itself on its security.
Both the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh
and the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, attended yesterday's
event. Other guests included Mr Seán Kelly, president of the GAA.
The horse show continues today.