In Cold Blood, Off Wet Sawdust

02 Aug 2017

Genesis of Modern Dublin Horse Show on Display

Exhibition on the early history of the Dublin Horse Show at RDS Library

There have been many changes to the Dublin Horse Show since it first took place in 1864, for a start it no longer takes place at Leinster House, which is now the home of Dáil Éireann. But looking at the early years of the Dublin Horse Show it is interesting to see that many of the component parts of the Show that we know today have been in place since its earliest years. This year’s RDS Library & Archives exhibition: In Cold Blood, Off Wet Sawdust: The Story of the Dublin Horse Show looks back at how all the pieces began to fall into place to create the genesis of the Show that exists today.

Though in very early years the Show did not have any show jumping at all. The Exhibition tells us that ‘Leaping’ was only introduced for the fifth Show in 1868, with Roscommon’s Richard Flynn on board Shaun Rhue taking the honours, after reportedly clearing 6 feet 6 inches. Quite the leap and a great start for the sport that would become known as show jumping in the years to come.

The Exhibition displays how after nearly twenty years of the Show in Leinster House, the RDS moved it out to what was then a greenfield site know as Ballsbridge. This development allowed the Show to expand considerably, building additional stabling and a grandstand for spectators and adding new equestrian classes, events and exhibitions to the Show programme. Following quickly behind was the social scene with the Dublin Horse Show quickly building a reputation for its accompanying balls and socialising throughout the week.

The Exhibition also documents how the RDS set out to encourage and reward quality breeding in the Irish Sport Horse as far back as 1886; how the buildings of the RDS were incrementally constructed to fit the needs of the growing Show and how some of these became redundant and were replaced; as well as how certain competitions, such as the famed FEI Nations Cuptm, came into being.

In Cold Blood, Off Wet Sawdust: The Story of the Dublin Horse runs Monday to Friday in the RDS Library, August 4 - September 14. Admission is free and open to the public. Please note an entry fee applies to non-RDS Members during the Dublin Horse Show (August 9-13).