Horse Show attracts 80,000

THE five-day Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show, which ended on a high note yesterday, attracted an estimated overall attendance of around 80,000 people.

A return to form by the Irish team in the Samsung Super League Nations Cup and an exhibition of quality young stock in the showing classes were among the highlights.

The social and fashionable round, entertainment and a trade display of over 300 stands added to the appeal of the event which had €720,000 in prize money and cost some €3 million to stage.

Royal Dublin Society chief executive Michael Duffy said the reaction to changes made to the structure of this year’s show was generally very positive and encouraging.

One of the reasons for the event is to support breeders and producers by creating a showcase for Irish-bred horses and developing a market place.

This year the society’s initiative of producing and circulating a DVD catalogue of horses qualified for the show was well received.

Responding to claims that entry fees for showing classes at the show were too high, Mr Duffy said it was a very important issue and would be examined in the overall review of the event.

Ireland’s Shane Breen from Cashel, Co Tipperary, who had a very successful competitive show, also won the Longines Press Award for the most elegant and accomplished male rider in the Nations Cup. Christine McCrea, United States, won the ladies award.