Look for the truth behind fox-hunting facade

THE Irish horse industry is tainted, but it’s not just infighting, doping of horses and tarnished Olympic gold that has dragged it into disrepute.

Show jumping, whatever its industrial relations deficit, is at least a wholesome and highly entertaining spectator sport — unlike its country cousin, the discredited and cruel practice of fox hunting.

At the Dublin Horse Show, hunts from around the country will be present in strength to promote their abuse of part of Ireland’s wildlife heritage. But this PR package will be sanitised, carefully choreographed and free of even a hint of cruelty.