The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is the highlight of the summer and runs annually for five days, Wednesday to Sunday following the August bank holiday weekend.
The Dublin Horse Show began in 1868 on the lawns of Leinster House. The first Shows featured led horses, ‘leaping’ demonstrations and the Stone Wall competition. In 1881 the Show was moved to Ballsbridge where it has been held annually ever since...
In times past the Ladies’ Hunter Classes were judged on the Thursday of the Show: as a result Thursday became famous as Ladies’ Day.
Today, the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show showcases the best show horses and national and international show-jumpers and is Ireland’s leading equestrian event. The show boasts one of the largest prize funds of any equestrian event in the world. Every year the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is host to the world renowned Aga Khan Nations’ Cup which was first presented in 1926 and the legendary Puissance.
In 2009 the RDS staged the Meydan FEI Top League Nations Cup Final, where the top ten show-jumping teams competed for the prestigious Aga Khan trophy and to secure their place in the 2010 League. Other highlights of the Show are the crowd thrilling Hunt Chase and the electrifying Pony Club games, not to mention the many show classes showcasing top class horses including Irelands’ native breeds such as the Irish Draught and Connemara pony.
Catering for everyone the Fáilte Ireland Horse Show includes an exhibition of crafts and antiques, a diverse range of shopping and exhibition stands with many food outlets, restaurants and bars on site.
The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show continues to celebrate the Irish-bred horse on an international stage, with the aim of setting standards in equine breeding and performance and endeavouring to create a market place for Irish bred horses.
The Royal Dublin Society Equestrian Committee and Committee of Arts came together to launch an open call for submissions for the design of a feature show jump for the 2010 Dublin Horse Show. The deadline for this competition has now passed, applications are currently being processed and the winner will be announced in due course.
