Thousands of people started flocking to the Dublin Horse Show today to view some of the best of Ireland's horses in action.
Paul O'Shaughnessy, from Galway washing, The Cooler King. Photographer: Dara Mac Dónaill.
The show was opened by the Lord Mayor, who rolled up to the doors of the RDS in a coach drawn by four black horses.
Councillor Vincent Jackson said the event had put Dublin on the international map as both a symbol of equestrian achievement and as a leading city to visit.
"The horse show is not only a wonderful Irish institution, it is also very important for the horse breeding industry and tourism, hence the association with Failte Ireland."
Over 100,000 people and more than 1,000 horses and ponies, from every county in Ireland and further afield, will pass through the gates of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) from today until August 13th.
Some of the events taking place during the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show include the Nations' Cup, the Longines Grand Prix with a prize fund of €120,000, the Land Rover Puissance, and a further nine international competitions and 30 national jumping competitions.
Eight top show jumping teams will battle it out for the Samsung Super League with FEI for the Aga Khan Challenge Trophy.
Ireland will be hoping for glory as France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US all vie for the honour.
A number of new initiatives have been included to revamp the show in its 133rd year.
This includes the introduction of young event horse classes for four and five year olds, a significant increase in prize money and a number of classes restricted to Irish-bred horses.
Other family-oriented features include the kids' areas and nature zones, including pony rides, face painting, bouncy castles and a playground.
Ladies' Day is expected to see the competition heat up as women compete to attract the attention of the judges - Rosanna Davidson, Louis Copeland and Synan O'Mahony - to claim the €10,000 prize.
Over 300 trade stands from Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Canada and the US will be in place at the show offering a wide range of clothing, millinery, equestrian clothing, wines and confectionery.