Another Year, Another Great Dublin Horse Show

Since it was first established in 1864, the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show has become a Dublin institution for horse lovers and the general public alike. Taking place in the first week of August each year, it is Ireland's largest equestrian event, and one of the largest events held on the island. This year the show ran from August 3^rd-7^th.

It is a showcase of the best national and international equestrian talent. This year, Irish riders were joined by competitors from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands and the US.

The show itself saw over 100,000 spectators attend the RDS show grounds over the five days. It estimated to have cost €3.6 million to hold the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show and it is expected to break even. Last year, the horse show contributed €43 million to the economy and it is expected to be the same again this year.

The 2011 Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show had a prize fund of over €940,000 for the 15 international jumping competitions and the 87 showing classes which saw over 1,500 horses and ponies on the Ballsbridge grounds between August 3rd and August 7th.

Shaun Quinn, chief executive of Fáilte Ireland, said for many people overseas Ireland was the land of the horse, and our association with horses was very much bound up with our cultural image abroad. “Our commitment to this event reflects not only the potential of the equestrian sector to attract visitors and holidaymakers to our shores but the importance of iconic events and festivals such as the Dublin Horse Show to generate economic activity,” he said.

The Dublin Horse Show is not just for horse lovers. It is, of course, possible to pass a very enjoyable day at the show without ever coming within sneezing distance of a horse. More than 300 trade stands were on exhibition, and the Fine Art Antiques Hall and the RDS National Crafts Competition exhibition provided further browsing opportunities.

While many sporting events are suffering with lack of sponsorship, this is not the case for the Dublin Horse Show. The show is sponsored by a wide range of well-known brands from Land Rover, which launched the ‘Evoque’ at the show, to Longines and Blossom Hill.

This year was also the first time that the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show had a strong social media campaign. The Facebook page has over 12,000 followers. With regular updates during the show, the page was a platform for horse lovers to discuss the show. It is a great example of how a successful social media campaign must be interactive and updated regularly.

We are a nation renowned for our well-bred, high performance animals. The Dublin Horse Show is a truly great event which really showcases how important the equine industry is in Ireland. The 2012 Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show is taking place next August from the 15^th to the 19^th. It is being held a week later to avoid clashing with the Olympics. So whether you are attending the Olympic Games or not a visit to the Dublin Horse Show is a must.