Some 1,400 horses and ponies will take part in the four day Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show which got underway at the RDS this morning.
The recession has failed to dampen the spirits of the organisers of the Ballsbridge event which opened with the 128cm Ponies event at Simmonscourt at 8am.
There has been no significant drop in the number of companies and individuals seeking corporate space at the show which has increased prize money and extra trade stands this year.
“A lot of our corporate clients are individuals who want to relax with their friends, especially when the major jumping competitions are being held,” said a spokesman for the RDS.
“The expanded trade area where there are now 300 stands is also a major attraction this year apart from the show jumping and a host of other events,” he said.
“This is the place to come and relax and despite the recession, forward bookings for the event are looking good because this is the place to be this week,” he said.
The show, which has Fáilte Ireland as its anchor sponsor, has a total prize fund of over €900,000 for the 12 international, 35 national and 95 showing classes to be staged over the week.
The main international jumping event will be the Meydan FEI Nations’ Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy on Friday, which always attracts a full house.
Ireland will take part in this competition against the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.
Other major jumping events include the Knight Frank Power and Speed completion on Thursday, the Land Rover Puissance on Saturday and the Longines International Grand Prix on Sunday.
A new event this year will be the “racehorse to riding horse” class, which will see famous winners of the turf such as Moscow Flyer, Brave Inca, Kicking King and Colonel Rayburn compete to see if they would make useful riding horses.
But the most intense competition of all takes place tomorrow, ladies’ day, when the judges will be looking for fashion and flair in the Blossom Hill competition.
The event will feature live music on the band lawn; and the Airfield Trust, Dublin’s only urban farm, will bring some of its animals into the grounds.
The RDS National Crafts and Student Art winners’ exhibition will be held in the RDS concert hall during the show.
The organisers yesterday defended the admission prices for the event, saying the €50 family ticket for two adults and four children was really good value for what was on offer.
The price drops to €40 on Sunday, the organisers said.