Natty grooms, horse whisperers and donkeys among Horse Show attractions

There has been a great focus on anniversaries in recent months but one notable one passed without much fanfare earlier this year. The first Dublin Horse Show was held 150 years ago in April, in the grounds of what is now Leinster House. According to the Irish Farmers' Gazette report about the event, "natty grooms and dashing dragoons were in attendance" and 370 horses were entered.

There might not be too many dashing dragoons around the RDS today when the Dublin Horse Show gets under way but natty grooms will definitely be in attendance.

The show has come a long way since the leaping competitions, as they were called, were held in Leinster House. Some 1,400 horses have been entered in the 125 competitions and classes in this year’s five-day event. That’s an increase of 5 per cent on last year’s entries. Some 100,000 people are expected to visit the show in Ballsbridge before it closes on Sunday.

Friday is traditionally the busiest day as the crowd-pleasing Nations Cup is held.

International teams

Eight international teams will compete for the

Aga Khan

trophy under the watchful eye of President Michael D Higgins, with €946,000 in prize money is up for grabs.

RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said Saturday was getting increasingly popular while Sunday was a big family day at the show. "All the signs are good for a successful event, with very strong advance ticket sales and more than 300 trade stands," he said. A mixed forecast is promised for the week "but the Dublin Horse Show is set to thrive whatever the weather".

Research has estimated that the event is worth €43-€45 million to the economy. Last year’s sale of two horses for more than €1 million each at the show will do the event’s reputation no harm.

It is a staple event on the equestrian calendar but Mr Duffy said the organisers were still trying to encourage people from non-equestrian backgrounds to come along. “They will see that it’s about much more than a horse show. And when they do come, they always come back.”

You don't need to be an equine expert to appreciate the skills of Montana horse man Buck Brannaman, who was one of the individuals who inspired the character of Tom Booker in The Horse Whisperer. Its author Nicholas Evans has described him as "the Zen master of the horse world". He will give two demonstrations daily in the Simmonscourt arena.

One of the world’s most popular ponies, Luma the Lion horse, is coming to the show after wowing the crowds at the Horse of the Year show in Britain last year.

Miniature pony

The miniature eight-year-old pony has enormous athletic ability for his size and impressive hair extensions that bring out his inner lion. He will be jumping through hoops and executing tricky dressage movements between Friday and Sunday.

Best dressed women will be jumping through the sartorial hoops tomorrow as Blossom Hill Ladies Day gets under way. The top prize is an €8,000 trip for two to New York. This year’s judging panel includes milliner Philip Treacy, stylist Angela Scanlon and designer and presenter Brendan Courtney.

Meanwhile, over in Ring 2, another group of very well dressed women will be taking part in the side saddle classes tomorrow. The discipline has a dress code so strict it makes Army uniform inspections look like dress-up day in the creche.

Sunday will be donkey day with 10 breeds of versatile donkeys going through their paces, showing just why there were more than 128,000 working donkeys in Ireland in 1945. Today there are fewer than 5,000 breeding females here.

Show time begins at 8.30am today when the first Irish Draught class gets under way in Ring 2.