Over 1,500 horses will compete in 127 showing classes and competitions at the Kerrygold Horse Show which starts at the RDS in Dublin this morning. Prize money exceeds €415,000.
According to the organisers, every square metre of commercial space has been filled with 236 companies exhibiting their wares.
There are 59 companies coming from the UK and Europe.
The most stylishly dressed woman on Thursday, which is Ladies' Day, will win a new Seat Leon worth €18,060.
The Guinness Jazz Band will be playing daily at lunchtime, and Macnas will be performing their new show, The Fascinating Adventures of Captain Zoom Zoom and his Flying Minstrel Dwing, on the band lawn three times daily.
Admission to the horse show is €11 for adults and €7 for children, students and senior citizens. Pre-purchased stand tickets range from €20 to €33 for adults and €15 to €28 for children, students and senior citizens. The Royal Dublin Society says it has increased the prize money by 12 per cent this year to continue to attract the best jumping and showing competitors.
The richest competition at the show, the Kerrygold International Grand Prix, will have a total prize fund of €96,000 - an increase of €13,000 over 2001 - ranking the competition as one of the most lucrative on the European jumping circuit. The winner will receive €32,000.
Mr Gerry McAuliffe, the show's director, said: "It's not the prize money alone which attracts the top international riders to the show. It's the prestige of competing at one of the best shows in the world and the craic that surrounds it. It's also considered one of the best social events on the annual equestrian circuit.
"You don't have to be a horse lover, horse-sports enthusiast, horse owner or rider to have a great day at the show. It is a wonderful event to bring friends and family to, with plenty to see and do outside of the showing classes and jumping competitions. It's even worth coming for the atmosphere alone," he added.
An exhibition of winning entries and works of excellence from the 2002 RDS National Crafts Competition and Student Art Award is being held in the Industries Hall gallery.
It contains over 100 works from Irish art students and amateur and professional craft designers.