Increased Prize Funds and New Classes Introduced for Dublin Horse Show 2022

The RDS is delighted to confirm that it will run the full complement of showing, show jumping and performance classes at the 147th Dublin Horse Show, which will take place from Wednesday, the 17th to Sunday, the 21st of August inclusive.  Majorly increased prize funds for the Show Hunter and Young Horse classes, and the introduction of new pony show jumping classes will ensure the Show gets back to a strong start after a two-year absence. 

The Show Hunter classes will see a 53% increase in prize funds across the three weight categories; light, middle and heavyweight, bringing the total prize money to a staggering €49,000. The prize fund for two Yearling and three Two-Year-Old in-hand classes will increase by 65% bringing them in line with the three Three-Year-Old classes, which each offer a prize fund of €5,000.  The total prize fund across the eight Young Horse classes at the 2022 Dublin Horse Show will be €40,000.

The Show Hunter classes, and the tradition and spectacle surrounding them, are a focal point at the Show each year, and the RDS is determined to maintain and develop this sector of equestrianism for future generations.  In a forum, held at the RDS earlier this month, specifically focused on the Showing and Show Hunter sector, concern was expressed at the declining numbers of suitable horses being bred for the purpose of showing.  And while the RDS, through the Horse Show, can support the sector by offering large prize funds and competitions, this must take place in conjunction with a national breeding programme for showing to be successful.

The ridden hunter classes at the Dublin Horse Show, which are open to Irish-bred horses only, offer breeders, producers and riders a unique platform to produce, showcase and market their quality horses.  The classes should be of particular interest to young horse producers, who can utilize them as a training and production medium, without putting undue performance pressure on their horses in their formative years.  The increase in prize funds will extend across the age groups, and the classes are open to riders of all disciplines, not just show horse producers.  The RDS is committed to further developing the ridden hunter classes and to increasing participation rates in this area.

The RDS will include new competitions for 128cm and 138cm 6 & 7-year-old ponies in the programme for the 2022 Show, which will benefit and support the production of young ponies in these height categories.  (A 148cm 6 & 7-year old class is already in place).

A total of twelve ponies will qualify for each of the new classes; three pony and rider combinations qualifying in each height category at each of four qualifiers.   The new classes will be judged on ‘Future Potential’, ‘Rideability’ and ‘Jumping Technique / Natural Ability’.  In the event of a tie, ‘Future Potential’, ‘Rideability’ and ‘Jumping Technique / Natural Ability’ in that order will determine the final result.  

A Young Horse and Breeding Forum also took place at the RDS this month, where discussions centred on the need for separate pathways for the breeding of show jumpers and event horses, and again the need for specific breeding programmes for eventing and showing were mooted.  It was pointed out that the Dublin Horse Show classes and competitions have become a significant and important directional tool for exhibitors in this regard but must be supported by an overall national policy. 

Recognising the need for specialised breeding programmes, the Breeders’ Championship will now be split into two classes to cater for those breeders aiming to produce show jumping foals and those producing foals for eventing.  It is recommended that foals in the eventing class have 60% or more thoroughbred blood in their pedigrees.  Four regional qualifiers will be held for the Breeders’ Championship in 2022, as opposed to six previously, and the judges for the Championship classes, both at the qualifiers and at the Final at the DHS, will come from a relevant performance background. 

The importance of clarity in the language used for showing classes was also highlighted.  In addition to the increased prize funds, the terminology used in the Young Horse classes (yearlings, two-year-olds and three-year-olds) will now focus on ‘sport horses’ as opposed to ‘hunters’ as this better reflects and tracks market demands.