More to Dublin’s horse show than jumping

THERE is more to the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, which begins on Wednesday, than superb jumping and the fashionable social round.

It is also big business for the tourism and sport horse sectors.

Equestrian holidays are now becoming an important part of the tourist industry with Teagasc estimating that up to 100,000 tourists spend €63.5 million on varied horse related pursuits annually.

The sport horse industry, which caters for equines in a wide range of disciplines other than racing, is worth over €200m a year to the economy and employs 12,000 people.

Sport horses take part in show jumping, eventing and dressage, are shown in-hand or ridden at shows countrywide, and are involved in leisure type activities such as trail riding, trekking, riding clubs and pony clubs.

The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) organise the five-day show, which is in its 133rd year, will cost over €3m to stage and will have €750,000 in prize money.

It provides an international platform, where farmer breeders can show their stock in front of potential buyers from home and abroad, and stages an annual pageant of fashion, entertainment and shopping with a specific appeal to other visitors.

However, all of it is built around the horse, with the Nations Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy the high point on Friday.

Teams from France, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the US will take part.

Over 1,000 horses and ponies will compete in 12 international and 30 national jumping classes and 40 showing classes at the RDS this week.

The thousands of people who will flock to Ballsbridge to watch the action in the jumping and showing arenas or to just absorb the infectious excitement will help push those tourism figures towards record year-end heights.

RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said this year also sees the introduction of several measures as part of a five-year strategic development plan for the show.

“These are aimed at enhancing the showing and breeding aspects, advancing and promoting the equestrian industry and ensuring the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show remains an event of the highest quality.

“While prize money has been substantially increased, a number of classes will now be restricted to Irish-bred horses only and young event horse classes have been added to the programme.”

Mr Duffy said the RDS realises the potential to develop a niche market for the traditional Irish sport horse and to support its trade.

In order to stimulate this trade, a video catalogue has been produced featuring samples of the young horses that qualify for Dublin.

It has been sent to a list of prospective buyers to increase sales activity and expand the market base at the show.

Mr Duffy said Fáilte Ireland’s continued support is essential to underpin these critical developments.

Arts, Sport and Tourism Minister John O’Donoghue said Fáilte Ireland, through the International Sports Tourism Initiative, is supporting the show for the second time as title sponsor.

The innovations being introduced are a welcome support to the policies of the Irish Horse Board in terms of breeding and production.

Mr O’Donoghue said equestrian sport enjoys a high ranking among the special activities pursued by visitors to Ireland.

Product development, marketing and support for international events such as the show are essential ingredients in a very broad range of programmes designed to guarantee the sustained growth of the Irish tourism industry.

“The industry experienced its fourth consecutive year of growth in 2005, with visitor numbers reaching a record €6.8m and foreign exchange earnings increasing by 5% to almost €4.3 billion.

“Industry professionals are also optimistic about current-year performance and are confident the landmark of seven million visitors can be exceeded,” he said.