SHOW OPENING:THE 136TH Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show got under way in bright sunshine yesterday in the RDS when Dubliners in particular showed their support for the event by coming in their thousands.
The show was formally opened by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emer Costello, who confessed to being a fan of the show for many years and recalled how she had been brought here by her parents as a child.
It was, she said, a showcase for the Irish horse industry and Irish enterprise, as well as promoting tourism.
She congratulated the organisers for the remarkable work they perform each year.
The Lord Mayor recalled the Royal Dublin Society had been founded by 14 men in 1731 who had the objective of advancing Ireland economically and culturally in order to improve the conditions of the people during the economic crisis of the 18th century.
“So many Irish institutions, including the National Library, the National Museum, the National Gallery, National College of Art and Design, the Botanic Gardens to name but a few owe their origins to the RDS,” she said.
Michael Duffy, chief executive of the RDS, expressed satisfaction at the support the show received from the public on opening day, and said it would cost €3.7 million to run the event in 2009.
“The show is run on a break-even basis. It is not a commercial operation but our commitment to the horse industry. It is not like the concerts or rugby games which are on a commercial basis,” he said.
Of the €902,000 in prizemoney, he said two-thirds would go towards the international jumping competitions and one-third to the national events. In all there were 1,350 horses and ponies entered in the competitions.
He revealed that the society, which is halfway through a €100 million development programme which includes the building of office blocks and upgrading the grounds, had already spent €8 million on the rings and stands for the show.
Mr Duffy said the expansion of the number of showing and other classes in the show this year was very important but he also wanted to warn patrons attending here tomorrow of the changes to the Nations Cup competition.
He said because there were 10 teams taking part there would be two rounds to the competition because otherwise it would take too long to stage the event which would begin this year at 4.30pm.
It would continue, he said, until about 7pm, about an hour later than its traditional finishing time. He said the entire event would be screened live on RTÉ 2 television but he wanted to advise patrons of the change in timing.
Today, come hail, rain or shine, the ladies’ day competition takes place on the grounds sponsored by Blossom Hill. The judges will be Amy Huberman and Synan O’Mahony, who will pick out the best dressed lady.
There are prizes for the Best Dressed Man – a Louis Copeland suit – and a Longines watch for the most colourful outfit worn on the day. There are also House of Frazer vouchers for prizes, including the most creative hat.
The grounds open today from 8am until 7pm.