Sunshine provides the perfect start at RDS

THE celebrated Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show with its cocktail of colourful pomp, exciting show jumping and stylish glitz, got off to a gloriously sunny start at the RDS in Ballsbridge yesterday.

It combines international jumping and showing classes with high fashion, trade and craft exhibits, entertainment and the pageantry of the Meydan FEI Nations’ Cup for the Aga Khan Trophy tomorrow. A total of 1,400 horses and ponies will compete for a prize fund of over €900,000 at the show, which will have 12 international and 35 national jumping competitions as well as 95 showing classes.

Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello officially opened the show, having been driven from the Mansion House in the Mayor’s Coach drawn by four Irish Draught horses.