Dublin Horse Show returns to RDS

The Dublin Horse Show returns this morning, as a report highlights the investment needs for the horse sport industry.

The event, now in its 148th year, gets under way in the RDS and is the pinnacle in the Irish horse sport calendar. It is expected to attract up to 120,000 people over five days.

Coinciding with the show's opening, a newly published economic analysis on the horse sport industry claims that Horse Sport Ireland puts the value of the industry at €1bn per annum, supporting approximately 15,000 jobs in every part of the country.

The report estimates there are close to 140,000 sport horses in Ireland and export sales were worth €185m in 2022.

The report, by economist Jim Power, notes a number of significant challenges for the sector including the lack of a strategic plan, the need for properly resourced training and development, insurance costs, the inadequate promotion of the sport despite its global status and changing attitudes concerning "social licence" to use horses in sport.

The report also notes that the RDS believes an investment of €5m in an education and training programme is a first step which would increase participation in equestrian activities, support economic activity and employment in rural Ireland and, through developing the understanding and supply of equine therapies, bring significant benefits for people with physical, emotional and behavioural issues.

For every euro spent, the report author estimates there would be a fivefold return in monetary terms.

Between today and Sunday, the Dublin Horse Show will offer a mix of national and international show jumping competitions, with a total prize fund of €1.3m.

Highlights are the Nations Cup on Friday, with its prize fund of €250,000 - where Ireland will