Alice Whyte - showing steward

I’ve been involved as a volunteer steward at Dublin Horse Show for about five years now. I’ve been assigned as a steward in a few different classes including show classes, the three-year-old loose jumping and the amateur sportsman classes. I can be stewarding in Ring 1 or 2 or over in Simmonscourt.

I first got involved through Marian Condren in stewarding. We keep horses ourselves and I have competed in the RDS myself. I have always loved horses and I love the RDS, there is just no show like it – it’s lovely to be on the inside and to be involved in such a prestigious show. The atmosphere at Dublin Horse Show is great.

There is a lot to it being a volunteer steward – stewards are briefed before each class, then you watch the class very closely and safety is very important. Then you have the presentations in the ring, with the media in place and all the rosettes ready to go on time.

You see people each year that you would only see at Dublin – the horse world is a small world – it’s great to know more about it. When I was growing up, we would have gone as a family every year to Dublin Horse Show, initially I was more interested in the lightweight hunters and working hunters before the future event horse league and show jumping classes. Last year, I was part of the Mosstown Riding Club winning team so I was busy competing and stewarding at the RDS.

I’m a speech and language therapist in Naas General Hospital and take my holidays for the week of the show and stay in Dublin for the week. Every volunteer really gives their all for the week and people commit their time and energy. It’s a very well run show and being involved gives me a great sense of satisfaction.