100 years of women competing celebrated at Dublin Horse Show

100 years of women competing celebrated at Dublin Horse Show

• Prize fund increased significantly to over €1.2 million
• New: speakers on personal wellness announced for show
• Special competition to commemorate 100 years of women competing at the Show

 

The 2019 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Stena Line Dublin Horse Show was launched today (16.07.19) just weeks out from a fabulous occasion combining sport, style and socialising in the heart of Dublin city. A major theme for this summer’s Show, August 7-11, is the celebration of the centenary of Ladies’ Day. 1919 was the first time women competed on horseback at the Show – within a generation women were competing at the top level of international show jumping. New for 2019 is the introduction of talks on equine-assisted therapy and personal wellness. Experts will share their experiences of how having a horse in your life can have a hugely positive influence. Ladies’ Day visitors can also hear from a wide range of speakers from BEO Wellness.

 

There is also top-class international sport, with the Longines Grand Prix of Ireland now the largest prize fund on the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cuptm Series at €350,000, along with 130 other competitions over the five days, both national and international.

 

Speaking at the launch, CEO of the RDS, Michael Duffy said: “This year celebrates 100 years of women competing at the Horse Show, which makes it a particularly special event. In 1919 women first competed on horseback, which gave us the name ‘Ladies’ Day’. Within a few years many women and men were competing against each other, and since the 1940s they have done so at the highest level of international show jumping.

The prize fund for Longines Grand Prix of Ireland, the biggest competition of the week, has been increased to €350,000 this year, which will be a major attraction for the best horse and rider combinations in the world.

Visitors can also learn about equine-assisted therapy in the HorsePlay Hub on both Friday and Saturday, and about personal wellness on Ladies’ Day. We know that many people gain so much from their relationship with horses, including, for some, a sense of well-being and mindfulness and this range of intriguing talks is very much in keeping with that.”

 

Diane Poole OBE, Stena Line’s Travel Commercial Manager (Irish Sea South) said: “It’s great to be back as title sponsor of the 2019 Stena Line Dublin Horse Show following a very successful association in 2018. The appeal of the Show grows each year and at Stena Line we are particularly pleased to see that this year the organisers will be celebrating 100 years of women competitors and the importance of personal wellness. Both of these themes resonate very closely with our own internal staff commitments to diversity, inclusivity and personal wellbeing so this year’s event will be particularly relevant to Stena Line, our people and our customers. Best wishes to all the competitors and we look forward to yet another world class event at the RDS in August.”

 

Personal Wellness

The relationship between horse and rider is at the heart of equestrianism. Much more than an exercise opportunity, a relationship with a horse offers the chance to develop empathy, understanding, patience, respect, and a host of other life skills. At this year’s Show, visitors will get the chance to learn from experts in equine-assisted therapy and hear how we might all benefit from having animals in our lives – with proven therapeutic benefits. MC Síle Seoige will speak with Joe Slattery, David Doyle and Niamh Hannan at the HorsePlay Hub (the RDS Concert Hall) on both Friday and Saturday of the Show.

 

Expanding on this theme of personal development, Ladies’ Day will see BEO Wellness bring a number of absorbing speakers covering topics from food to style and more besides. Co-founder of BEO Wellness, Aoibhín Garrihy said: “We are delighted to bring BEO Wellness to the Stena Line Dublin Horse Show for what will be our only Dublin appearance of the summer and bring our message of self-care to all those at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day. We have some inspiring contributors lined-up for people to learn from and help them make choices for a healthier and more fulfilling life.”

 

100 years of Ladies Day – ‘Centenary Stakes’

Known throughout the land for a great balance between style and entertainment, the origins of Ladies’ Day at the Dublin Horse Show can actually be found in women first competing on horseback at the Show in 1919. Within a few years women were competing at the RDS in team and individual competitions alongside men, and by the 1940s and 1950s were competing at the highest international level in show jumping. Show jumping has for many decades been a sport that does not discriminate between genders right up to Olympic level.

To acknowledge this, and celebrate the centenary of Ladies’ Day, the RDS are organising a special team competition between some of the top international female riders in the world and their male counterparts. Teams in the ‘Centenary Stakes’ will be made up of four riders each, with the competition taking place in the Main Arena on this year’s Ladies Day.

The topic of women competing in the Show is central to the RDS Library Exhibition which highlights some of the more famous female riders through the decades and is open each day of the Show.

 

Dr Jennifer Redmond, Department of History, Maynooth University, spoke at the launch, painting a picture of what Ireland of 1919 was like for women. Dr Redmond spoke of how women first competed at the Show against a backdrop of societal changes that were underway in Ireland at that time.

 

Ciara Sugrue, Fáilte Ireland’s Head of Festivals, said: “We are delighted to once again support the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Stena Line Dublin Horse Show. Celebrating Ireland’s affinity with the horse since 1864, the Show is a real highlight in the festival calendar and this year, once again, promises to be a spectacular celebration of Irish equestrianism.

Festivals and events are crucial to the tourism sector. The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Stena Line Dublin Horse Show attracts tens of thousands of visitors from across Ireland and around the world every year, not only delivering increased economic activity for the city of Dublin but also showcasing Ireland’s ability to host major sporting events to an international audience.”

 

The RDS mission is to contribute to the cultural and economic development of Ireland. The Stena Line Dublin Horse Show is a vital way in which this is achieved. The Show is run on a not-for-profit basis to make it as beneficial as possible for the Irish sport horse industry.