From August 9-13th Ireland’s premier equestrian event returns to the RDS. Dublin Horse Show has taken place every summer, bar one, since 1868 and is one of the major sporting and social events in the Dublin calendar. Over the past century, the show has become a high-profile international show-jumping competition renowned for its elegance and class. 2023 will be the 148th year of the Dublin Horse Show and one not to be missed. PREMIER SUITES offers comfortable, spacious accommodation for Dublin Horse Show, ideal for couples, families, groups and colleagues. Accommodation is limited during this busy week so book today to avoid disappointment.
History of the Dublin Horse Show
The first show was held in 1864 and organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland. There were 366 entries in the first Show with a total prize fund of £520. July 1868 the Show was organised by the Royal Dublin Society and held on the lawns of Leinster House. As well as horses, ass and mules were also allowed to enter. 1869 was the year ‘horse leaping’ came to prominence. In 1881 the Show moved to Ballsbridge and shortly after in 1919, women were allowed to compete. In 1926 International Competitions were introduced and today the Show has one of the world’s largest annual prize pools for international show jumping.
Dublin Horse Show Programme
Wednesday sees the Six-Year-Old Horses Stake and the Speed Stakes accompanied by entertainment from Alizée Fromont. Thursday is Best Dressed Day, an annual staple of the Irish fashion scene. Each year brings a unique and original style from fashionable attendees, male and female. On Friday you’ll see the middle and heavyweight hunters, along with championships and parades. Saturday is often the busiest day with the Hunter Championships and the Dublin Stakes. Sunday is a wind-down day but it’s as exciting as the rest with show and working hunter classes, the RDS show awards and the parade of champions. It’s a packed schedule and one that seasoned attendees are looking forward to. There will be over 300 trade stands at the show too making it a great place to buy and sell your equestrian products.
Show Jumping at Dublin Horse Show
Showjumping has become one of the main events at the Dublin Horse Show every year and there are several categories competing. There are amateurs, horses, ponies and young riders competing for different titles and with different rules. There are prizes for four to eight-year-old horses, and sections for broodmare futurity to identify young performance mares with suitable conformation, pedigree, and athleticism. Exhibitors must dress according to the dress code which includes a tweed jacket for both ladies and gentlemen, a neat shirt and tie, beige, fawn or cream breeches, long black boots and riding gloves. There is also a bursary competition for young competitors.
Important Info for Dublin Horse Show
Getting to the RDS is easy. They are well connected by bus, road and rail. Buses 4, 7, 7a & 18 will leave you at the door of the RDS or the Lansdowne Road and Sandymount Train and DART stations are a short walkway. PREMIER SUITES serviced apartments are a very short walk to the showgrounds and offer the ideal accommodation.
Tickets for the Dublin Horse Show are in demand and in short supply as it gets closer to the event. Single Admission tickets admit you to public areas within the Showgrounds and the public areas around the Main Arena for a day and cost €24 for adults. There are family tickets, season tickets and walk-up tickets also available at different rates for adults, children and concession prices.
Every year the Show provides an excellent entertainment programme for all visitors For 2023 There is a have a wealth of entertainment planned throughout the 5 days, with music and circus-like acts on hand to entertain and captivate audiences bringing an almost festival feel to the occasion. There is a kids zone barnyard companions, inflatable attractions, carnival games, an activity zone, face-painting and more.
PREMIER SUITES Ballsbridge offers serviced apartment accommodation in Dublin, a stone’s throw from the RDS. Book your stay on our website to guarantee our best available rates. Reserve your accommodation in Ballsbridge today to avoid disappointment on what promises to be one of the busiest weekends of the year.
