Equestrian awards night will honour the late Jack Dodd

WELL-KNOWN faces from the world of Irish show jumping will come together at Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare, for the 23rd annual Irish Show Jumping Awards in partnership with Horse Sport Ireland on Saturday, December 15.

This year’s gala ceremony will be a particularly poignant occasion as guests will be honouring the memory of Jack Dodd, a talented young rider from Foxford, who tragically lost his life in June of this year following a car accident in Belgium.

Jack (25) was extremely well-known throughout the show jumping industry in both Ireland and abroad, honing his talent from an early age and competing in arenas all over Europe.

A member of the prestigious Young Riders Academy, Jack also represented Ireland at youth and senior level and won the FEI European Championships as part of the national team in 2014.

However, from the tragedy of Jack’s death, his donation of organs helped to save the lives of three other people, and the Jack Dodd Foundation was formed to benefit charities that tie in with his story. Among the charities that are supported by the Jack Dodd Foundation are the Irish Kidney Foundation, the Showjumper’s Club Injured Riders’ Fund and the Brain Battle Fund in Maastricht, which is where Jack passed away, and his parents, David and Trish, are keen to give something back to the hospital which gave him so much attentive care in his final days.

One of the fabulous auction items on the night that has been donated is the commitment of top riders from all around Europe to provide week-long training bursaries, with those involved more than willing to support the cause having known Jack on the show jumping circuit.

There are a number of other incredible items going under the hammer that have been kindly provided by sponsors, including a commissioned painting by renowned equestrian artist John Fitzgerald.

A total of 19 awards will be given out to the country’s leaders in the industry following what has been a very successful 2018 for show jumping in Ireland, with the Jack Dodd Perpetual Rookie Trophy going to the best breakthrough rider of the year.