RDS Dublin Horse Show Official Launch 2023

The 2023 Dublin Horse Show is Launched! 

•    168 Classes & Competitions with a prize fund of over €1.3 million 

The international sporting and social event of the summer, the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ RDS Dublin Horse Show was launched today (11.07.22) by Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It is just weeks now until the return of the Show, which combines sport, style and socialising in the heart of Dublin city. 
Speaking at the launch Minister McConalogue said “I am delighted to launch the renowned Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Dublin Horse Show. Considered world-wide as one of the top global equestrian events a number of national and international equestrian competitions feature over the five days. Our island is recognised as the ‘land of the horse’ and is the most densely sport horse populated country in Europe. The Dublin Horse Show provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase and market Irish bred horses, their breeders and producers and over the years, many good horses have been sold from Dublin overseas.” 
“I am well aware to the significant contribution of the sport horse industry to the Irish economy, and I am committed to providing supports to the sector to allow it grow and flourish into the future. This year, following a tender process, my Department signed two contracts worth €5.2m to deliver services to the sector. Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) secured the contract for delivering national breeding services. 
From the monies allocated by my Department to these services, the RDS secured the largest allocation of €200,000 for breeding grants which will support young horse and pony classes in showing, show jumping and eventing classes throughout the week. The Irish Horse Board (IHB) are contracted to provide a marketing service for the sector and will play an important role in ensuring the reputation of Irish bred and Irish produced horses are celebrated worldwide.”
A major theme again for this summer’s Show, 9th – 13th August, is celebrating the positive impact that equestrianism has on society in general. Festina Lente (www.festinalente.ie) will be providing both practical demonstrations and panel discussions on equine therapy and the benefits that can be gained from it during the week of the Show.
There is also top-class international sport, with the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland (Sunday 13th August), with a prize fund of €350,000 and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Ireland (Friday 11th August) with a prize fund of €250,000, along with 166 other competitions over the five days, both national and international, all with a total prize fund of €1,300,925.

Speaking at the launch, CEO of the RDS, Geraldine Ruane said: “We are delighted to launch the 148th the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ RDS Dublin Horse Show today. With 168 classes and competitions both internationally and national and a total prize fund of over €1.3m. The Show is always a major attraction for the best horse and rider combinations from around the world. 

“The RDS Dublin Horse Show is widely considered to be one of the best equestrian shows in the world. It is operated by the RDS, the social impact organisation, which manages and resources it; to ensure that it is the best possible Show for the Irish sport horse industry. Equestrianism is vital way in which the RDS fulfils its mission of contributing to a culturally and economically vibrant Ireland.”