Classes
| When: | Where: |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 5 August | Ring 1 |
| 61. THREE YEAR OLD POTENTIAL EVENT HORSE - PRESENTATION | |
| Wednesday 5 August | International Warm-Up Arena |
| 61. THREE YEAR OLD POTENTIAL EVENT HORSE - JUMPING | |
Aim
To identify the highly desirable, good looking horse with potential for the discipline of eventing and to assist breeders and producers to present their Three Year Old stock to the best advantage for modern eventing competitions.
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Eligibility
Restricted to 'Irish bred' horses only.
Three Year Old Fillies, Geldings and Colts are eligible to qualify for this Class.
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Entry Fee
RDS Members: €285 each entry; Non-Members: €325 each entry.
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Rules
The judges will qualify a maximum of three horses (and one reserve) from each venue. Should any qualified horse withdraw from this class; a reserve horse from one of the qualifying venues will be invited to compete at the Final. Any owner who has not entered their animal by 6 July will automatically be replaced by a reserve horse. Any horse withdrawn from this class after 13 July 2026 will not be replaced. It is the responsibility of the owner to enter their animal by the due date for the Final at the Dublin Horse Show.
Selection or non-selection of horses at each venue is totally at the judges’ discretion.
Owners / representatives may only use two qualifying venues in order to qualify any one horse. Should an owner / representative appear at a third qualifier with the same horse, this animal will automatically be disqualified from Class 61.
Horse Passports must be available for inspection by the judges at the qualifiers and the Final.
In the interest of safety in the collecting rings at the Show, stallions will compete first and should be returned immediately after their show to their assigned stabling. Owners are advised to ensure that their entry is presented by a competent handler and appropriately tacked with a bridle and bit.
This class will run as per a specific drawn order available on the official startlist on the Equipe App.
Note
As this is a broadly-based assessment of the horse's suitability, exhibitors are strongly advised to study the competition format and train their stock in preparation for each element of the format, i.e. Presentation in-hand, Loose Canter and the Jumping Grid.
Tack
Horses to be presented in a Simple Snaffle bit (as defined by FEI rules) and Chiffney (if required).
Stallions should be appropriately tacked with an in-hand bridle with a bit and a leather lead shank of sufficient length.
Double bridles are not permitted.
No hind boots or bandages permitted.
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Qualification
Five qualifying venues have been selected from which the three best horses will come forward to the Final at the Dublin Horse Show.
Fifteen horses will qualify from the qualifiers. The winner and reserve from the Three Year Old Performance class at Newcastle West Showgrounds, Ballynoe, Castlemahon, Co. Limerick on Friday, the XXth of June will also qualify for this class. For further information on this competition, contact Seamus Shanahan on 087 2271808 or by email at seamus@newcastlewestshow.com.
All entries for the qualifiers will be processed via the RDS online entry system. Entries will open on Monday, the 8th of June and will close at 3pm on the day preceding each qualifier. Entries are no longer accepted by email or phone.
Entry fees will be paid directly to the venue on the day of the qualifier.
Exhibitors will be advised of their start time by email on the morning of the qualifier. No late entries or entries on the day will be accepted. Exhibitors that do not present their horse at their allocated start time will not be permitted to compete.
A horse cannot qualify for both the Three Year Old Potential Event Horse and the Three Year Old Loose Performance competition. Exhibitors should decide which competition category their horse is best suited to, and note that the horse’s first qualification will secure it’s qualification place, regardless of further placings at later qualifiers.
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Start Lists
Click the links below for the qualifier startlists:
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Qualifier Results 2026
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Judging
Phase One - Presentation
In-hand – in Ring 1
- 30 points – Conformation (Looking for excellent all round conformation)
- 20 points – Walk, Trot (Freedom of pace, power, lightness, balance and athleticism)
Phase Two - Performance
Loose - in an enclosed chute / pen
- 30 points – Canter* (Correct, elastic, regular through a swinging back, length of stride, balance, self-carriage and lightness)
- 30 points – Jumping (Scope, athleticism, technique - use of head, neck and shoulders, suppleness of back, open/tight haunches)
- 10 points – Reflexes (Quickness of reflexes)
- 10 points – Standard of Training & Presentation
- 20 points – Potential & Suitability (Quality, presence and temperament)
Total 150 points
*Canter: Horses will be allowed to display themselves once in canter around the enclosed arena. This “canter round” will be scored as per headings given above.
‘Economy of Effort’ in jumping will be rewarded.
No points for unnatural or exaggerated performances.
In the event of a tie, the horse with the highest score from Phase Two will be the winner.
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Fences
A 'Grid' consisting of three obstacles as detailed here will be provided.
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Awards & Prizes
Class 61:
1st €5,000, 2nd €3,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1,500, 5th €1,000
Owners placed 6th to 17th will receive €350 for competing in the Final.
A Special Breeders' Prize of €1,500 will be presented to the breeder of the winner.
The number of prizes awarded is based on the number of animals catalogued. For more information please click here.
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Cups & Trophies
Cup No. 73 – The “Captain Anthony Maude” Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Champion Three-Year-Old. First and second prize winners in Classes 57 – 59 and 61 will compete for this Cup.
Cup No. 145 – The “Owen Ryan” Perpetual Challenge Cup for the Champion Yearling, Two or Three Year Old Filly. The first and second prize-winning fillies in Classes 53, 56, 59 and 61 will compete for this Championship.
Cup No. 152 – Perpetual Challenge Trophy presented to the winner of the Potential Event Horse class.
NB: The rules and conditions for each class and competition as published in the current year's RDS Dublin Horse Show Competition Schedule are complete, final and binding.
All exhibitors must read the current year's Schedule when entering for a class or qualifier. No other version of the class detail or rules are considered official. See link to RDS Dublin Horse Show Competition Schedule.
