The 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ RDS Dublin Horse Show swings into action in Ballsbridge tomorrow, 9th August.
The Show, which combines sport, style and socialising in the heart of Dublin city, provides €50 million to the Irish economy and is the highlight of the Irish Horse Sport Industry which is worth one billion and provides for over 15,000 jobs in Ireland.
In celebrating the positive impact that equestrianism has had on society in general, the RDS is once again bringing back ‘Positive Strides’ to the RDS Dublin Horse Show.
The initiative is sponsored by Mannon Farm and this year’s nominated charity is the Irish equine organisation, Festina Lente, who will be providing both demonstrations and panel discussions on equine therapy throughout the Show.
Prize Funds
There is also top-class international sport, with the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland (Sunday 13th August), with a prize fund of €350,000 and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland (Friday 11th August) with a prize fund of €250,000, along with 166 other competitions over the five days, both national and international, all with a total prize fund of €1,300,925.
“We are very excited about the 148th RDS Dublin Horse Show with 168 classes and competitions both internationally and national and a total prize fund of over €1.3m,” said Pat Hanly, the RDS Dublin Horse Show Director.
“The Show is the highlight of the Irish Sport Horse Industry and contributes €50 million to the Irish economy.”
“Last year we were overwhelmed with the public’s response to the Positive Strides initiative that highlighted the value of the human/horse relationship. This year we are hoping that we can shine a light on this incredible organisation which is at the forefront of equine therapy and an exemplar in the development of our interaction with the horse. ”
“Those of us that enjoy horses are only too aware of the positive impact horses can have on peoples mental and physical wellbeing and the Show is delighted to partner with Festina Lente in showcasing what it does so well.”
Style
One of the premier style events of the summer, the ‘Best Dressed at the Dublin Horse Show’ competition takes place on Thursday 10th August with new sponsor the Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel taking up the reins.
With a substantial first prize of an Anantara package worth €10,000, which includes a four-night stay for two in their sister hotel, Anantara Vilamoura Algarve. The day promises to be one of high-end fashion and fun, judged by independent.ie fashion editor Bairbre Power along with stylist and media personality Lorraine Keane, while the event will be hosted by Laura Woods.
The ever-popular Kids’ Zone, behind the Grandstand, will be open throughout the five days to keep children entertained with inflatable attractions and an activity zone including face painting and much more.
Shopping
With over 350 shopping stalls and 50 food stalls, 9 on-site restaurants and cafés, 12 kitchens, 17 bars and a catering team of over 600, the Dublin Horse Show has something for everyone and for all budgets.
Michelin starred chef, JP McMahon is bringing his pop-up restaurant to the Band Lawn at the Dublin Horse Show on Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th. Guests can experience some of the very best of in-season offerings from the West of Ireland. Featuring three sittings a day, this is a culinary adventure the likes of which would not be the norm at a sporting event.
The RDS is a social impact organisation that works to see Ireland thrive culturally and economically. It does this through the RDS Foundation across a range of Programmes and Bursaries in a number of areas: Science, Arts, Agriculture, Enterprise, and not least, Equestrianism. The RDS Dublin Horse Show is the flagship Programme for the Foundation.
Sport for Business Perspective:
The Horse Show is part of the fabric of a Dublin summer and the grounds of the RDS will be packed with horsey folk and those who enjoy the great day out that it provides.
A mainstay of domestic and international tourism in the capital the figure of a €50 million contribution to the local economy is worth noting. This being the year before the Paris Olympics where three equestrian teams have already qualified to represent Ireland, it is also a vital showcase for the sport.
