MADAM,

From my experience in Dublin Horse Show last week, I am writing due to my concern regarding the future and integrity of showing horses in Ireland.

Previously, I was invited to a meeting in the RDS where the then Horse Show Director quoted that if they had a euro for every conspiracy theory received in complaint about judging at the show, they would be a millionaire by now.

When competing in a show class, be it in-hand, ridden and ridden by a judge, is it not the requirement of the horse to behave in a mannerly way, with all equine entrants in a class completing the instructions given that are deemed necessary to compete?

As a show horse producer, like many others, my livelihood and business depend on the sport. For breeders, owners and competitors, producing horses to Dublin Horse Show standard is an immense and costly task. Breeders need to keep breeding for the up-and-coming young riders to fill the classes with show quality horses.

We all love our sport, we all love our horses, but would Dublin Horse Show 2025 encourage breeders, owners and riders to keep filling the rings?

Yours etc,

Nicola Perrin

Rathangan

Co Kildare