Your guide to Saturday's Defender Puissance

Profiles and records ahead of the historic Puissance competition in Dublin.

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Welcome to the 149th Dublin Horse Show.

Since 1864, the Dublin Horse Show has been the highlight of the summer, blending top-tier equestrian competition with the unique charm of Ireland’s heritage. This year, from August 14th to 18th, we invite you to the RDS grounds to experience this premier international sporting and social event in the heart of Dublin. We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Rolex, marking a new era as part of the prestigious Rolex Series, which unites six of the world’s most esteemed equestrian shows. This inclusion underscores our event’s importance on the global showjumping calendar and promises to elevate the experience for competitors and spectators alike. Join us for an array of events, including practical demonstrations and panel discussions by Festina Lente, showcasing the benefits of equine therapy. Our CEO, Liam Kavanagh, along with our distinguished partners, look forward to welcoming you to a celebration of sport, style, and socialising at this year's show.

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The competitors The records Previous winners

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Most successful riders Most successful horses Most successful nations

Comdt Geoff Curran & Bishops Quarter Last year’s winners at a height of 2.25 m after having also won the 2023 HOYS Puissance at 1.80 m.

I’ve never ridden a horse with as much bravery and scope as Bishops Quarter.

Horse age: 17

Horse age: 10

Paul Gaff & Jaranco V Z

Two years ago, Paul & Jaranco ventured together into the world of Puissance and haven’t looked back. Their best placing was a 3rd over the Bolesworth wall in 2023. He’s the horse of a lifetime for me, giving me these opportunities to perform on the biggest stages in the world! I really can’t thank him enough!

Tim Gredley & Gentlemen vh Veldhof Gentlemen vh Veldhof first contested an international Puissance class in 2015 and hasn't faced an international wall since then. This time, Gentlemen is partnered with Tim Gredley who has won multiple Puissance classes.

Horse age: 18

Michael Pender & Hearton du Bois Halleux This pair have faced the Dublin wall four times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023). They’ve always placed equal third or better, including two wins (2018, 2022).

Horse age: 17

Barbara Schnieper & Toronto Raptor This is Barbara’s fourth appearance in the Dublin Puissance. Her best placing was with Dickens II in 2018 when they placed equal 6th among 18 starters. This is Toronto Raptor’s first international Puissance competition.

Horse age: 12

David Simpson & Brandonview First Edition Brandonview First Edition has faced three international walls, including Dublin 2022, and has won at the national Puissance level. This is his first major Puissance class with David Simpson.

Horse age: 14

Paul Sims & Kingfisher Kingfisher’s first international Puissance competition was this past June in Bolesworthwhere he and Paul finished equal 4th. We are really looking forward to competing in Dublin. Bolesworth was the first time I rode Kingfischer, or ’Spud’ as we call him, in the ring. He is usually ridden by my wife, Hannah. He is feeling well and fit!

Horse age: 9

Elliot Smith & Flamboyant III Joint winners of the Bolesworth Puissance this year over a height of 2.21 m, setting the new Bolesworth Puissance record. Flamboyant came second in the Hickstead Derby with William Whitaker this year. I have had Flamboyant since he was a 3 YO so we’ve been together for 11 years. Together we’ve won 4 Puissances and have placed at shows including Horse of the Year Show, Arena UK and Liverpool. This will be our first time jumping a Puissance on grass but I’m excited to be handed over the reins as William Whitaker rode him so well at this show 2 years ago when I was off due to injury. I’m looking forward to the show and hoping to bring home some success!

Horse age: 14

Patrik Spits & Pepper van de Achterhoek This is the first trip to Dublin for this horse. Patrik last faced an international Puissance wall in 2015 and it’s the first international wall for Pepper van de Achterhoek.

Horse age: 9

Joseph Trunkfield & Cruze This pair were joint Puissance winners at the 2022 London International Horse Show over a height of 2.15 m. At that same competition, they also won the Six Bar class over 1.90 m. For horse and rider, that London 2022 run was their first appearance at a five- star show like Dublin. With Cruze now under new ownership, he and Joseph are reuniting tonight to take on the Dublin wall. This is my first time competing in Dublin and I am very much looking forward to it and what a class to be able to compete in! Cruze has all the jump for the job, so it’s down to me to give him a good trip and I’m sure he’ll love the Irish turf!

Horse age: 13

A game of

centimeters

Dublin's lowest winning height of the last 10 competitions

Dublin's highest recorded

Last year’s winning height

World record

2.40 m

2.29 m

2.25 m

2.15 m

Mathieu Billot (FRA) & Dassler (2019)

Geoff Curran (IRL) & Bishops Quarter (2023)

Franke Sloothaak (GER) & Optiebeurs Golo (Chaudfontaine 1991)

Otto Becker (GER) & Herrmann's Imagination (1995)

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Dublin Puissance winners of the last 10 editions

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Sameh El Dahan now rides for Great Britain & Daniel Bluman for Israel.

Riders with the most wins in the Dublin Puissance All time (1957*-2023)

* The inaugural winner (1956) is not on the record.

ihb.ie The Irish Horse Board

All horses with multiple wins in the Dublin Puissance All time (1957*-2023)

* The inaugural winner (1956) is not on the record. ** Now rides for Great Britain.

Irish riders have won 48 of the 112 Dublin Puissance classes (43%), making them the most successful nation in the history of this class.

British riders are second with 23 wins. German riders are third with 15.

From all winners since 1957; the inaugural 1956 winner is not recorded. Michael Pender & Hearton du Bois Halleux

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The stats and metrics in this form guide are brought to you by EquiRatings, a data analysis company dedicated to horse sports. EquiRatings develops and delivers unique, data-driven insights to showcase athletes, empower audiences and elevate the sport.

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This guide is proudly supported by the Irish Horse Board, a co-operative society with over 30,000 shareholders. The Irish Horse Board is the representative body for breeders in Ireland. In 2022, under contract from the Department of Agriculture and the Marine, the Irish Horse Board re- established its role to promote and market Irish Sport Horse Industry and Irish bred horses, to enhance and build the reputation and exposure of the Irish Sport Horse Industry Nationally and Internationally.

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