Dublin Horse Show Launch 2017

02 Aug 2017

 

Ticket Sales, Competitor Entries and Corporate Hospitality all bode well for 2017 Show

Strong advance ticket sales, sold out corporate hospitality, a waiting-list for trade stands and increased entries to competitions, all signal a very strong Dublin Horse Show in 2017. As always, the Show welcomes a strong international field of riders to contest the fourteen international show jumping competitions between August 9-13, eight of which carry world-ranking points. This year’s Show will also be the first opportunity for the new Chef d’Equipe for the Irish show jumping team, Rodrigo Pessoa, to get his first taste for the unique Dublin venue when the Irish Team compete for the FEI Nations Cup on Friday August 11. The Show will also see two legendary show jumpers, in the form of Eddie Macken and Nick Skelton, give joint masterclasses at the Show.

Commenting on the event which takes place in just three weeks’ time, Michael Duffy Chief Executive of the RDS said: “The indications this year are for another really impressive Show. Corporate hospitality at the Show is always popular, but this year it has sold out in close to record time; advance ticket sales are the strongest they have ever been; there will be over 300 trade stands at the Show, with a waiting list to join them. Matching this, the national competitions at the Show are expected to be some of the strongest in recent years, as qualifiers around the country have been inundated with quality entries - we expect to have over 1600 horses and ponies competing over the five days. All of which bodes well. The Show has an annual economic impact of at least €45 million to the city and we expect this year to be no different.”

He continued: “Of course, the international show jumping is what many associated with the Show and we’re really looking forward to seeing the Irish team this year, under the guidance of newly appointed Chef d’Equipe Rodrigo Pessoa. The team have been going very well and the Dublin Horse Show will be the last competition they have before the European Championships in Gothenburg. Though for some visitors, the stand-out item will be the joint masterclasses given by Eddie Macken and Nick Skelton, two international legends in their sport and both with an amazing Dublin Horse Show pedigree. Nick is the current Olympic champion and Eddie needs no introduction to Irish audiences.”

An additional element to this year’s show is the examination of the unique challenges that Brexit poses for the Irish sport horse industry. Elaborating on this Michael Duffy said: “The primary goal of the Dublin Horse Show is to benefit the Irish sport horse industry; an industry that has an economic value of €700 million, mostly for rural Ireland. Brexit will create challenges particular to this industry which has very strong cross-border business relationships, as well as a specific export relationship with Britain. We are taking the opportunity at the Show to examine how the industry can best prepare for the various Brexit scenarios.”

Each year the RDS operates the Dublin Horse Show on a not-for-profit basis to make the Show as beneficial as possible for the Irish sport horse industry. The RDS mission is to see Ireland thrive culturally and economically and the Dublin Horse Show is a vital way in which this is achieved. Sponsorship is a vital revenue stream that enables the not-for-profit Show and the RDS is delighted to welcome eight new sponsors of the Show this year: Qatar Airways, Mount Juliet Estate, Al Basti Equiworld, Deloitte, Alpe d’Or, EquiAG, House & Garden Furnishings and Keelings.

Speaking about the Horse Show, Head of Dublin for Fáilte Ireland, Keelin Fagan said: “The Dublin Horse Show is one of the longest running features in the city’s festival calendar. It is one of the events that makes the Dublin a truly unique place to visit, adding to the city’s colour and character. The Show is annual proof of our ability to host major international sporting events and spectacles.”

One of the premier style events of the summer, the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day takes place on Thursday August 10. This is the third year of the Dundrum sponsorship which maintains the coveted prize of a €10,000 shopping voucher for the Centre. Thursday has been known as Ladies’ Day for almost 100 years at the RDS.

Alongside a five-day equestrian programme, the Show has much to offer visitors with over 300 stands offering some of the best in fashion, craft, as well as equine products, from both home and abroad. New artisan food offerings available this year include Happy Pear, while pony rides and bouncy castles in Keeling’s Kids’ Zone will keep little ones entertained. One of the highlights for many is the exhibition of the RDS Craft Awards Exhibition which each year displays some of the best craft makers in Ireland.