143rd Show brings five days of international show jumping
First of five days of equestrian sport begins today in the RDS, with international and national show jumping and showing competitions taking place until Sunday, July 24. A total of 132 competitions take place during the Show, including 14 international show jumping competitions, nine of which carry world ranking points. The highlight of the week is Furusiyya FEI Nations Cuptm on Friday, when Ireland will look to retain the title they won in convincing style last year. In their ranks will be Ireland’s 2016 show jumping Olympic hopeful Greg Broderick.
The Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day takes place tomorrow Thursday July 21, with a €10,000 shopping voucher on offer for the overall winner. This year will also see natural horseman Pat Parelli at the Show who will give demonstrations on four of the five days. Sir AP McCoy will be on hand on Saturday to judge the Racehorse to Riding Horse class which features Forpadydeplasterer, Zaidpour, Arvika Ligeonniere, and Mossbank among others.
An Irish team of four for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cuptm from the following will be named tomorrow:
- Bertram Allen from Wexford with Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve
- Rio-bound Greg Broderick from Tipperary with MHS Going Global
- Darragh Kenny from Offaly with Go Easy De Muze
- Denis Lynch from Tipperary with All Star 5
- Cian O’Connor from Meath with Good Luck
In a change from the traditional August dates to accommodate Olympic riders, this year’s Dublin Horse Show is the same great mix of equestrian competition, family entertainment and summer social activity. Taking place July 20-24, the 2016 Show will welcome world-renowned equine behaviourist, Pat Parelli, who will introduce his natural horsemanship skills (and Californian cowboy flair) to visitors to the Show. An influential force in the American equestrian community for over a half-century, event rider, trainer, coach, author and Irish horse enthusiast, Denny Emerson will present two masterclasses at this year’s Show, as well as judging the Young Event Horse Classes.
As well as a range of wandering circus-like entertainment on the grounds, there’s the equestrian entertainment, which is provided this year by Joel Chacon and Santí Serra. It’s the first time Santí will perform in Ireland and he is in hot demand around the world for his athletic and gymnastic display that involves his brilliantly trained stallions and sheep dogs. French equestrian performer Joel Chacon returns having been warmly appreciated last year for his comedic routines that often disguise the superb horsemanship that lies underneath.