High style and record prizes at horse show

IF diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then Ladies Day at the celebrated Dublin Horse Show next week will be a truly sparkling occasion.

One of the stylish ladies in the RDS grounds on that Thursday will sashay away with a magnificent diamond ring worth €10,000. Appleby Dublin have sponsored the prize for this year’s winner of the best dressed lady competition.

Ensuring that political correctness prevails, Louis Copeland will present a prize for the best dressed man. A cash prize will also be awarded for the most creative hat, a category which always attracts head-turning creations.

Details of the fashion highlights were announced yesterday, along with the programme for the five day show (August 4-8), which has a record €510,000 prize fund and will be officially opened on Wednesday by Dublin Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan.

RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said visitors to the 131st show will not only enjoy world-class showjumping, but, with the wide range of other entertainment on offer, a great family outing as well.

Samsung and Fáilte Ireland, the principal sponsors, are this year joined by Land Rover Ireland which adds its name to the Puissance (high wall) competition.

Taking part in the main jumping classes will be the top eight show jumping teams in the world: Belgium, France, Germany, Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O’Donoghue said financial support is again being provided through the Government’s International Sports Tourism Initiative, co-ordinated by Fáilte Ireland for the Samsung Super League Nations’ Cup.

“This spectacular showcases all that is best about the Irish horse industry and helps enhance our reputation as an equestrian holiday destination,” he said.

A total of 1,400 horses and ponies from nearly every county in Ireland will pass through the showgrounds. There are a record 95 showing and special category classes, both ridden and led, and 34 national jumping competitions for horses and ponies.

Visitors will also find a wide range of consumer goods on a record 275 trade stands, with some first time exhibitors from China and Peru.