•    Laura Kraut of the United States and Pius Schwizer of Switzerland were honored with the Longines Press Award For Elegance after the $285,880 The Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland on Sunday.
          An international panel of judges from Ireland, the U.K., France and Australia chose the winners who had been short-listed according to their performances throughout the entire Meydan FEI Nations Cup season. Elegance in manner and harmonious accord with their horses were primary. Each winner took home an equine trophy, the Longines Admiral watch from Longines’ Sport Collection and a check for $18,500.

•    Toni Hassmann of Germany on his Nations Cup ride, the 13-year-old Oldenburg mare Lolita H, topped the $285,880 The Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland. This was one of the richest grand prix classes in Europe, with an increased purse this year.

•    Roger-Yves Bost of France won the leading international rider title, and Shane Carey of Ireland won the leading national
rider title.

•    The first Meydan FEI Final at the Royal Dublin Society Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is the largest summer event in Dublin. The main (international) arena holds 12,000 people, and on Friday for the Nations Cup it was packed. Apart from the stellar show jumping competition, there were shows for retired celebrity race horses, Connemara ponies, Irish Draft horses, breeders, judges and 3-year-olds. There was even a competition where lay-people could try their hand at judging, with a substantial cash prize.

•    The famous Ballymacad Fox Hounds put on a demonstration of coordinated team effort, thrilling the crowds. And one hound in particular left his mark when he used the Royal Dublin Society director’s leg as a relieving post.