WITH the official launch of the 2019 Stena Line Dublin Horse Show this week, the countdown is on towards opening day of the 146th show, which boasts an increased total prize fund of €1.235 million.
Launched on Tuesday at the RDS, Ireland’s only five-star horse show will also celebrate the centenary anniversary of lady riders competing at the iconic Dublin Horse Show.
Worth an estimated €50 million to the Irish economy, the not-for-profit show (August 7th-11th) will host 130 competitions, both national and international. The prize fund for the Longines Grand Prix of Ireland, the biggest competition of the week, has increased to €350,000, and is attracting the best horse and rider combinations in the world.
Interest in tickets is booming with Aga Khan seating sold out while the majority of corporate packages were snapped up within weeks with only limited availability left.
RDS CEO Michael Duffy said: “This year celebrates 100 years of women competing at the Horse Show, which makes it a particularly special event. In 1919 women first competed on horseback, which gave us the name ‘Ladies’ Day’. Within a few years, many women and men were competing against each other, and since the 1940s, they have done so at the highest level of international show jumping. Visitors can also learn about equine-assisted therapy in the HorsePlay Hub on both Friday and Saturday, and about personal wellness on Ladies’ Day.”
This year’s masterclasses at the show will be given by top USA rider Laura Kraut, a member of the all-lady USA Aga Khan-winning team of 2017, along with Olympic eventing legend Sir Mark Todd.
Major changes
MC Brendan McArdle interviewed Dr Jennifer Redmond, Department of History, Maynooth University, on what the Ireland of 1919 was like for women. The passing of the Sex Disqualifcation Removal Act (1919) paved the way for lady riders at Dublin and 1919 show winners included Meath’s Florence Garrett who competing Tank and Motorcar, won the Hunters Championship, while Mrs Binty Marshall and Bubbles took a yellow rosette. Dr Redmond told how women competed at Dublin Horse Show against a backdrop of the major societal changes with World War One bringing women into the workforce as well as the extension of voting rights to all women by 1922.
The RDS Library Exhibition, open throughout the show, highlights some of the more famous female riders through the decades, while in the Main Arena on Ladies Day, a special team competition between some of the top international male and female riders will be hosted to commemorate the centenary.
Stena Line’s Travel commercial manager, Diane Poole OBE, said: “It’s great to be back as title sponsor of the 2019 Stena Line Dublin Horse Show following a very successful association in 2018. Best wishes to all the competitors and we look forward to yet another world class event at the RDS in August.”
Ciara Sugrue, Fáilte Ireland’s head of festivals, said: “We are delighted to once again support the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Stena Line Dublin Horse Show. Celebrating Ireland’s affinity with the horse since 1864, the show is a real highlight in the festival calendar and this year, once again, promises to be a spectacular celebration of Irish equestrianism.”
Personal Wellness
Visitors can hear from experts in equine-assisted therapy and learn the proven therapeutic benefits of being involved with animals. Co-founder of BEO Wellness, Aoibhín Garrihy said: “We are delighted to bring BEO Wellness to the Stena Line Dublin Horse Show for what will be our only Dublin appearance of the summer and bring our message of self-care to all those at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day.”