RDS makes hay while the sun shines
There are horses for courses and some of the best will compete for the 500,000 prize money up for grabs this week.
Special foods, including crushed oats, bran and carrots, have been flown in for horses with discerning palates.
Meanwhile, humans who care for something exotic can enjoy live music on the Band Lawn and sip champagne at one of the year’s biggest social events.
The showgrounds were buzzing yesterday as horse exhibitors washed and shampooed their charges ahead of today’s judging classes.
Dozens of international grooms also put horses through their final paces in the exercising arena at Simmonscourt.
Hundreds of temporary workers have been taken on to help in the final preparations for the 130th Dublin Horse Show at the 42-acre site.
They include painters, plumbers, cleaners, gardeners, florists, steeplejacks, electronics technicians, security personnel, general labourers and carparking attendants.
The RDS will cater for more than 1,500 horses and 100,000 visitors during the next five days.
Thousands have booked in to the Ballsbridge area for the event and beds are at a premium, an RDS spokesperson said last night.
Show director Gerry McAuliffe said: “The 130th Dublin Horse Show opens its doors to the Irish public and to the world through TV transmissions.
“We present one of the best horse shows in the world and our selection as a participant show in the new Samsung Super League endorses that position. We look forward to a great week.”
The gates open at 9am today and the official opening will be carried out by Dublin Lord Mayor Royston Brady at noon.
Daily adult admission is €13, while senior citizens, children under 16 and students with ID cards pay €9.
