Madam,

I refer to Martyna Wright’s letter of June 5th regarding the new Working Hunter Horse qualifier rules for the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show.

To ensure clarity for all competitors, the rules are:

1. A rider may enter a maximum of two horses per Working Hunter Horse qualifier class.

2. A rider may qualify a maximum of two horses per class, and four horses overall across the five Working Hunter Horse classes.

3. The first four horses qualified will determine the rider’s allocation, regardless of subsequent placings.

These rules were introduced to ensure the orderly and efficient running of both the qualifiers and the Dublin Horse Show, while supporting a fair and equitable qualification process for every competitor.

We reviewed the direct entries to Working Hunter Horse classes at the Show in 2025, when we first considered running the qualifiers. The data showed that:

  • One rider had four entries across the five Working Hunter Horse classes, with two entries in one class.
  • One rider had three entries across three different classes.
  • Fourteen riders had two entries overall across the five classes.
  • Three riders had two entries in the same class.

    • Based on actual participation levels, we are confident the rules provide sufficient flexibility for all riders and producers. On the point of a reserve system, we do not operate a reserve system for all RDS classes with qualifiers.

    This is the first year of trialling qualifiers for Working Hunter Horses, and we are grateful to the Young Event Horse Series for taking them on. Running qualifiers involves a significant amount of extra work and coordination for all involved. We do this to support the industry, raise standards, and bring people together in a competitive, social, and supportive environment. The Dublin Horse Show has always championed quality, horsemanship and excellence. These principles remain at the core of all our decisions.

    Fiona Sheridan,

    Show Director