Horse show numbers boosted by families and the downturn

THE credit crunch provided a surprise boost for the five-day Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show which ended last evening.

A sizeable increase in the numbers of families attending the event was noted, partly as a result of promotional work by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).

But it is also believed many people who might have gone abroad for their holidays in August have stayed at home this year due to the recession and went to the horse show instead.