RDS Dublin Horse Show gets underway

Style, showjumping, shopping, and family activities at Ballsbridge venue

The 149th RDS Dublin Horse Show opens its iconic showgrounds in Dublin today for five days of equine sport covering all classes from the elite international showjumping teams to a class on Sunday dedicated to the humble donkey.

There will be over 165 classes and competitions with a prize fund over €1.4 million, with some 1,600 horses and ponies on the 43-acre campus over the week.

The RDS Dublin Horse Show is now part of the Rolex Grand Prix Series with a prize fund of €500,000 for the Rolex International Grand Prix on Sunday 18th August.

Positive Strides returns with demonstrations and talks on the power of equine-assisted therapy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Market & Makers are a new addition to the show, in the concert hall across the five days of the show.

Post Olympics, some of the best international showjumpers in the world will land in Dublin to compete for an opportunity to share in the €1.467m prizemoney, including the Rolex International Grand Prix on Sunday 18th with a prize purse of €500,000.

The hugely popular Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of The Aga Khan trophy is sponsored this year by The Underwriting Exchange and takes place in the main arena on Friday 16th August.

The Defender Puissance with the big red wall, a firm favourite with Irish equestrian fans is back on Saturday 17th where the bravery of the horse is matched by the bravery of the rider.

However, the show is about more than elite riders – with over 165 classes and competitions that cover everything from Irish Draught horse and Connemara pony classes to pony clubbers and ladies side saddle, from the lightweight and heavy hunters to the Racehorse to Riding horse class, there is truly something for everyone who has an interest in horses. On Thursday evening, a presentation will be awarded to both Jessica Harrington and Col. Ned Campion to acknowledge their contribution to Irish equestrianism and The Dublin Horse Show.

The RDS shopping village, indoor and outdoor bars and restaurants serving local produce to street food from around the world.

Pat Hanly, show director, RDS Dublin Horse Show, said: “With 165 classes and competitions the Dublin Horse Show makes a vital contribution to the Irish Sport Horse Industry. Over the five days we will showcase the very best in horsemanship – both international and national and in keeping with the ethos of the RDS, Positive Strides which highlights the power of equine-assisted therapy and care is back at the show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday”.

For some, the show is about style with Best Dressed at the RDS Dublin Horse Show taking place on Thursday 15th August at the band lawn when one stylish person will walk about with €10,000 in cash courtesy of sponsor 1664 Blanc. It is always a day when the Champagne Bar located at the end of Ring 2 is full to the brim with people enjoying the equestrian classes and the fashion.

The Family Area located at the Church behind the Grandstand is back bigger and better with a Mini Defender Activity course as well as the very cute Festina Lente ponies, plenty of other animals and a climbing wall to keep all the family entertained.

Liam Kavanagh, CEO of the RDS added: “The Dublin Horse Show is an RDS social impact initiative and an integral part of the RDS calendar. It offers so much to those who visit us over the five days across our 43-acre campus. Every year the RDS team strive to deliver a bigger and better show with premium partnerships and adding new experiences that underpin the ethos of this incredible institution”.

IFA support for breeders

The Irish Farmers Association is to sponsor a breeder’s prize for the top placed Irish-bred horse in the Grand Prix at the RDS Dublin Horse Show, according to IFA horse project team chairperson, Conor O’Leary

“Breeders are the lifeblood of every equestrian discipline, and they need support and encouragement like never before. Sport horse breeders are in every parish in the country, and it is only fair that they receive some of the recognition,” he said.

“The breeder is a glaring omission from the distribution model for prize funds in sport horse competitions. There is almost no financial recognition in prize fund allocation for them. IFA is campaigning for a proportion of all prize funds in racing and sport horse events to be directed to the breeders,” he said.

This prize aims to raise the profile of Irish breeders and give something back for their invaluable efforts. Without breeders, we would not have top-quality horses produced in Ireland that are showcased all over the world.

The prize will see €1,000 awarded to the breeder of the highest placed Irish-bred horse, provided the horse places in the top ten of Sunday’s Grand Prix and has its sire/dam/breeder officially recorded. The prize will be presented to the winning breeder the week after the RDS Dublin Horse Show.

Friday will see one of Ireland's longest standing sporting events The Nations Cup of Ireland more familiarly known as The Aga Khan Trophy will take place in the world renowned RDS main arena where six countries: Belgium, France, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and United States of America will vie to lift the coveted gold trophy.

Underwriting Exchange sponsors Aga Khan

RDS CEO Liam Kavanagh announced that well known equestrian and showjumping supporter, The Underwriting Exchange, will sponsor this year’s Nations Cup with a prize fund of €250,000.

The Underwriting Exchange is the leading provider of equestrian insurance in Ireland across a range of sectors from the sport horse to all facets of the thoroughbred industry along with providing solutions for a wide range of other commercial and business risks. A proud association with Riding for the Disabled, where the company acts as insurance patron and sponsor underpins its commitment to the world of equestrianism from elite athletes to those that are often marginalised.

Equine underwriting manager at The Underwriting Exchange, Brendan Ryan, said: “The Underwriting Exchange is delighted to be sponsoring the 2024 Nations Cup of Ireland for the award of the Aga Khan trophy. We are thrilled to be associated with a wonderful sporting event and a jewel of the Irish summer that is the RDS Dublin Horse Show. It is a great time to be associated with the competition as the Irish team have been doing so well over the past 12 months. It is also an opportunity for us to highlight what we do as the leading equestrian Insurance provider particularly in the Liability space in the Irish market”.

Liam Kavanagh said: “We are delighted to welcome The Underwriting Exchange as the RDS Dublin Horse Show partner on the Nations Cup of Ireland. This is both a historic and prestigious competition with the awarding of the iconic Aga Khan Cup Trophy presented to the winning team since 1926. We look forward to welcoming The Underwriting Exchange and indeed the eight teams that will compete for this trophy presented to the RDS by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1980 following Ireland's outright win in 1979”.