This year’s 138th Dublin Horse Show(DHS) runs from August 3rd to August 7th and will feature the Ukrainian Cossacks.
This daredevil riding team of first class stunt riders has entertained crowds at numerous big events and will perform everyday during the horse show.
Ms Catriona Heaphy, Communications Officer for the Dublin Horse Show said the show is “becoming more and more popular. Last year we had over 90,000 visitors to the show, and visitors were coming from New Zealand, US, Europe, and Britain. The show is evolving from strictly equestrian to overall entertainment and attracts not only people who are interested in horses but the general public as well.”
Every year more and more entertainment is provided at the DHS and this year, as well as the many equestrian events, there will be inflatable clowns, puppet magic shows, musical rides and pony club games.
Five bands in all will be there entertaining including the Garda Band and Tropical Storm, the Caribbean Quartet who organisers say will be serenading the crowds from the bandstands. The organisers also tell us that there are no less than nine bars to choose from if you would like to indulge in your favourite tipple and there will be a number of restaurants where you can enjoy a proper sit down meal.
Catriona Heaphy said “I think it’s important that people plan their day, this year we have put an events timetable on the website to make it easier for people to ensure they prioritise the events they don’t want to miss.”
At the Royal Dublin Society(RDS) there will 300 trade stands and as well as equestrian products there will be stands displaying jewellery, clothes and art and some at discount prices. Brendan Courtney will be hosting the Ladies Day fashion competition.
Catriona Heaphy said “It won’t be like other years where the best dressed ladies will be picked from the crowds. The ladies who enter the competition will be interviewed on stage and whoever is deemed to be best dressed will win and you don’t have to be a model wearing a designer outfit. There are great prizes to be won including a trip to San Francisco worth 10,000 euro. Other prizes will be awarded for the most colourful outfit and the most creative hat.”
“There will be prizes for the best dressed man but the details of this have yet to be decided,” added Ms Heaphy.
Disabled rider’s events have been growing in popularity over the years and provide uplifting entertainment to watch youngsters overcome any challenge and control and guide their horses.
Prior to the opening of the show the RDS will be holding an exhibition of the student awards, arts and crafts and on display will be fine art with works in paintings, sculpture, and prints which will be available for purchase.
Over 70 horse events will be featured which will include a Competition of Riding Clubs, Mares and their Foals, performances of Irish Draft Horses, Led Connemara Stallions, a display of Side Saddle Riding, Thoroughbred Stallions and The Parade of Champions.
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