Ireland

‘We’re so privileged to have it’: Dublin Horse Show a highlight of European equestrian events

Lord Major of Dublin Cllr Daithí De Róiste arrives in Lord Mayor’s carriage for beginning of 148th display

Noel Cregan exercising Ruairi, a maxi cob, before the opening of the 2023 Dublin Horse Show. Photograph: Alan Betson

Fiachra Gallagher
Alessia Micalizzi
Wed Aug 9 2023 - 20:05

The Lord Mayor’s coach doesn’t get out quite as much as it did in the 18th century when it first took to the capital’s cobbled streets. However, the Dublin Horse Show is one event it usually never misses – and its traditional journey from the Mansion House to the RDS continued on Wednesday for the equine festival’s 148th edition.

Cllr Daithí de Róiste, wearing the chain of office, travelled to Dublin 4 in the carriage, its baroque features – golden statuettes, Dublin-blue window curtains and three castles burning on a coat of arms – matched only by the grand surrounding of the horse show’s setting.

“It’s a big event on Dublin’s calendar every single year,” the Fianna Fáil councillor said after officially opening the show at noon on Wednesday. The only other time the carriage comes out is on St Patrick’s Day.

Brendan Mulreany, of Mulreany’s Carriages, was tending to the four Dutch Friesian horses saddled to the carriage on Wednesday afternoon.

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“It’s one of the biggest horse shows in Europe. It’s so sought after, they bring the top horses from around the world to come to Dublin to show them off,” Mr Mulreany said of the show, dressed sharply in a grey suit. Mulreany’s Carriages have supplied horses to Dublin City Council on the opening day of the show for the last 15 years.

“We’re so privileged to have [the horse show],” Mr Mulreany added. “It’s where you want to get your horse to, being the land of the horse and all that.

“Even if you’re not into horses, it’s a lovely event for the week, being at this time of year, the kids are off school, something to be at. It’s just amazing to have it in Dublin.”

Brothers Brendan and David Mulreany, who supply the Dutch Friesian horses that draw the Lord Mayor's carriage, on the first day of the RDS Dublin Horse Show 2023. Photograph: Alan Betson

On Wednesday afternoon, Nichola Walsh ambled through the crowd in the RDS with her young daughter on her shoulders. Ms Walsh’s mother, Julie Baker, was just up ahead, pushing a buggy carrying another of Ms Walsh’s daughters.

“We used to come years ago as kids ourselves, and now I’ve my own two,” Ms Walsh, from Tralee, Co Kerry, said on Wednesday afternoon. “[It’s a] family thing – it’s in the blood.

“We were into horses ourselves as kids, so now we keep coming up. It’s a nice day out.”

Mya O’Toole from Wicklow with gelding Major Sam, and Kate Devine and Sean Looney from Waterford with stallion Benlows Hero. Photograph: Alan Betson

James Rochford and Tanya Bourke preparing Irish Draught prospect Earl. Photograph: Alan Betson

Martina McKenna, from Santry in Dublin, thinks it’s a good day out, too. She was looking out on to the main area on Wednesday morning, her three grandchildren in toe. “It’s a lovely day out – the girls are enjoying it.”

On the course behind them, horses cleared fences effortlessly, criss-crossing around the ring.

“How the horses can do it without the jockeys falling off – that’s just wow,” Sarah McKenna (11) from Maynooth piped up. Her two cousins, sisters Lauren (9) and Clara McKenna (11) from Lucan, agreed.

“It’s an institution, and hopefully it’ll carry on,” Martina said. “Let the country life come to the city.”

Pat Lynch, from Navan, Co Meath, was ringside on Wednesday afternoon, holding on to an event catalogue. In the ring, jockeys guided Connemara ponies around a difficult course of fences. Around the ring, dropped beams were met with collective groans, cleared fences applauded at intervals.

The Dublin Horse Show is the biggest horse show of the year by far, Mr Lynch said, dressed appropriately in a tan-coloured gilet and shirt. “No matter what else is around the country – and there are other good shows around the country – to win here is what everybody wants. It’s the top of the top.”

He was chatting to Isobel Leonard, from Drumcree, also in Meath. Ms Leonard will have a pony competing in this very ring on Thursday. She bred Drumree Dandy Lad, a six-year-old stallion, and has high hopes for him.

“He’s going very well ... he’s a very good chance,” Ms Leonard said.

Kate Devine and Sean Looney from Waterford with Irish Draught stallion Benlows Hero getting a wash down. Photograph: Alan Betson

Derek Hamilton, of Eventing Ireland, is the brain behind many of the tracks faced by riders and their horses at this year’s show. “I’m over 20 years here coming to Dublin,” he said, wearing a red rosette reading “course designer”.

On the course, different feature fences stick out – one, built by Mr Hamilton with timber beams, resembles a spider, its web of rope dangling above it. “It sounds silly, but it just comes to me,” he said, speaking on the source of his inspiration.

The rain holds off, for the most part, lending itself to a festival feel in the RDS on Wednesday as the day trundles on.

“It’s about the ambience,” said Fiona Bothwell, who has been coming to the show from Antrim for the last four years with her teenage daughter Zara.

As Zara just got a pony herself, the two are even more into it now, and “really enjoy seeing horses performing”.

Dublin woman Sheenagh Walsh, who first came with her parents, has also turned the event into a family tradition.

“I used to come here as a child, so it really takes back lovely memories,” she said.

“Now, in turn, I’m bringing my own child here, so it’s very special.”

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