Dublin Horse Show expected to attract 100,000 visitors

Historic equestrian eventat the RDS now in its 143rd year

This year’s Dublin Horse Show runs from Wednesday to Sunday at the RDS. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
This year’s Dublin Horse Show runs from Wednesday to Sunday at the RDS. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times

About 100,000 people are expected to trot along to the Dublin Horse Show beginning on Wednesday, the historic equestrian event now in its 143rd year.

Over the next five days, 14 international classes will run, alongside national show jumping, eventing and showing class events.

Arguably the real competition takes place during Ladies’s Day on Thursday, showcasing the social side and festivity of what is mandatory fare in the Irish equine world.

Madame Stella gets a cooling down, with the help of Ciara Mullen from Malahide, at the  Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Madame Stella gets a cooling down, with the help of Ciara Mullen from Malahide, at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Rhys Williams (11) from Ennis, Co Clare, on Yorkie at the RDS on Tuesday.  Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Rhys Williams (11) from Ennis, Co Clare, on Yorkie at the RDS on Tuesday. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times

Thirteen countries will be represented in Dublin this week, with eight set to compete in Friday's Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup for the coveted Aga Khan trophy.

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Wednesday's events schedule began with the first qualifier of the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) six-year-old National Showjumping Championship, while in the afternoon the first qualifier for the HSI four-year-old National Showjumping Championship takes place.

As for international showjumping, the day’s feature event is the Sport Ireland Classic in the main arena.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times