MORE than 100,000 people are expected to attend the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show over the next five days.
A must for Ireland’s equestrian fans, the show got underway this morning at the RDS arena in Dublin’s plush Ballsbridge area.
Almost 1,500 horses are set to take part in 132 competitions, starting with the Horse Sport Ireland Six-Year-Old competition.
Think I found the mane salon at the @DublinHorseShow #rdshorseshow pic.twitter.com/8YZ9BqYBoJ
— Emma Jane Hade (@emmajhade) August 5, 2015RDS chief Michael Duffy said the show, which began in 1864, remained one of Ireland’s most important social events in the summer calendar.
“The RDS is acutely aware of the high importance that many in the Irish equestrian community place upon this event and the importance of the international shop window for Irish bred horses that it provides.
“As an organisation that has the cultural and economic wellbeing of the country at our core, we are keen to strengthen the Irish horse sport culture and economy, which is a vital contributor to rural Ireland, worth approximately €700 million in total,” Mr Duffy added.
Today’s events include the Irish Sports Council Classic while tomorrow's feature a Speed Derby followed by the Serpentine Speed Stakes and the Anglesea Stakes Winning Round competition.
And of course tomorrow is Ladies’ Day, which will see fashion fans compete for the €10,000 best-dressed prize. Other prizes to be won include most creative hat, most colourful outfit and best dressed man.
Model Pippa O’Connor and fashion editor Bairbre Power will be judging the winners.
Final touches are being added and excitement it building at the RDS for tomorrow the opening day of #dublinhorseshow pic.twitter.com/Hi7RXTBNHh
— Dublin Horse Show (@DublinHorseShow) August 4, 2015Ireland’s showjumping team will go up against seven other nations on Friday for the Aga Khan Trophy in the Furusiyya FEI Nations' Cup – last year’s competitors included Jessica Springsteen, whose famous father Bruce watched from the stands.
Saturday’s events will include the Land Rover Puissance and the JLT Dublin Stakes.
The show will draw to a close on Sunday with the Speed Championship followed the Longines Grand Prix of Dublin.
The grounds open from 7am until 8pm daily until Saturday and from 7am to 7pm on Sunday, with the main hall entrance open from 9am each day.
Visit www.dublinhorseshow.com for more information.
The Irish horse at its best. Stallion Killinick Bouncer, winner of the #IrishDraught Performance at @DublinHorseShow pic.twitter.com/hz02k4dewm — Suzanne Campbell (@campbellsuz) August 5, 2015
