Representations of the Dublin Horse Show 1868-2011 - Posters
Dublin Horse Show Posters
Advertising posters for the Dublin Horse Show first appeared in the 1920s. These colourful and striking designs were very popular at the time and they are now highly sought after by collectors. Here you can view some of the most memorable Horse Show poster designs from over the years.
The earliest Dublin Horse Show posters were designed by American artist Olive Whitmore, who worked as an illustrator specialising in hunting scenes. She began designing posters for the Horse Show in the late 1920s. Her designs were used to advertise the Show in prime locations in London and for the shipping line Cunard White Star.
Violet Skinner is best known for her iconic images of galloping horses, which became hugely popular during the early 1960s. She designed 16 posters for the Dublin Horse Show from the early 1960s until the late 1970s.
These original poster designs were often reused. Olive Whitmore’s designs were reproduced several times during the 1940s and 50s and Violet Skinner’s were recycled throughout the 1980s.
Kerrygold were the title sponsor for the Dublin Horse Show from 1989 until 2000. This marked a change in the style of the posters, moving from painted to photographic images and the inclusion of company branding.
In 2005, Fáilte Ireland became the Show’s title sponsor. These posters feature the Show’s horse and rider brand and strong photographic images.
These images featured in the exhibition, Representations of the Dublin Horse Show 1868-2011. The physical version of the exhibition was shown in the RDS Library during Dublin Horse Show week 2011. (Click on image to enlarge).
