RDS hosts horses at annual show

IT’S GIDDY-UP for the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show in the RDS in August with over 125 various classes and competitons set to thrill the crowds.

Running from August 15 – 19, this year’s event will feature National show jumping championships, event horse classes and a wide variety of riding performances.

Since the first Horse Show in 1868, the famous RDS Showgrounds has remained the home of show jumping and all things equestrian.

The Royal Dublin Society held its first Horse Show to demonstrate the ability of the Irish horse, which was noted all over the world for its performance ability, innate intelligence and braveness.

While the show has grown and developed considerably since then, it remains a true and challenging test for the 1,500 horses that turn out to contest the competitions and classes at all levels and across the disciplines.

Sixteen international show jumping competitions will take place over the five days, six of which offer Rolex World Ranking Points. The show jumping programme, with the Top Level Nations’ Cup and Grand Prix, continues to enhance the RDS’s international reputation as one of the finest equestrian competition grounds in the world.

The International Young Horse competition for seven and eight-year-olds, which seeks to identify highly talented jumping horses at the beginning of their international careers, is a unique initiative to test the best of Irish against the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the riding stars of the future are identified through the RDS Young Rider Bursary competition which rewards good equitation and horsemanship.

The Working Hunter Championship with a prize fund of e15,000 is Europe’s richest competition. The Show Hunter classes showcase Irish bred horses with quality, substance and excellent movement, the best of which go forward to compete for the prestigious Supreme Hunter Championship.

An extensive entertainment programme will be in place throughout the week with Frenchman Jean Francois Pignon taking the leading role.

He will demonstrate the true trust and understanding that can exist between man and horse through a series of daredevil acts and acrobatics in the RDS Main Arena and Simmonscourt.

Ladies’ Day takes place on the Thursday when the RDS Band Lawn will see hundreds of fashionistas turn up in all their finery to compete for the title of

‘Best Dressed Lady’,

‘Most Creative Hat’,

‘Most Colourful Outfit’ and not forgetting the gentlemen in the crowd,

‘Best Dressed Man’.

For those who fancy themselves a good judge of a horse, the Public Judging competition is a unique opportunity to exercise judging skills by attempting to anticipate the winning line-up in a range of classes.

For further information or to book your ticket visit www.dublinhorseshow.com or call the International ticket line on 00353-1-4858010.