The National Horse Show
In 1864 the RDS and the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland held the first National Horse Show. The RDS took on sole responsibility for delivering the Show in 1868. The Show was combined with a Sheep Show until the mid-1920s.
The Horse Show was introduced to support and improve breeding in the Irish horse, which had suffered a decline due to the demand for horses for the Crimean War. The Show’s first Thoroughbred stallion classes offered a top prize of £40 on the condition that the horse’s owner put the animal out to stud in Ireland within a year of winning the award.
The Horse Show’s jumping classes were introduced in 1868. These competitions were open to the public and took place at Leinster House. The Show’s first water jump was located where the steps of the National Library now stand.
The Horse Show moved to Ballsbridge in 1881. Here, the RDS introduced more showing classes and developed the Show’s jumping competitions. These years saw the construction of a grandstand with seating 2000 people and a jumping enclosure with stonewalls, earth banks and water jumps.
In 1888 the RDS introduced its mare, foal and stallion premium scheme, designed to incentivise improvements to the breed of Irish horses. These awards ran until 1900 when they were taken over by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction.
In 1924 the Show became the Dublin Horse Show and in 1926 the first Aga Khan competition was held at Ballsbridge. This competition, named for Aga Khan III who presented its trophy, introduced international show jumping to Ireland.
The increase in entries and audiences for these competitions necessitated the development of the Anglesea Stand, completed in 1928, and the addition of the Pembroke Hall with its iconic clock tower and increased stabling.
Today nearly 1600 horses arrive annually at Ballsbridge to take part in the Dublin Horse Show continuing its well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s leading equestrian events.
Please click here for the RDS Horse Show catalogue of 1899 and here for the RDS Horse Show catalogue of 1900 to find out more about the owners and pedigrees of these animals.
RDS Horse Show prize-winners for the years 1899 and 1900
Court Ball
Royal Mask
Helen with filly foal
Chestnut gelding
Guy Fawkes
Canon Arthur
Hunter Mare
Sirdar
Glenart
Woololoomoloo
Cathleen
Winkfield's Glen, chesnut, foaled, April 18th, 1898.
Winner of First prize of £20 in Class 6, Thoroughbred Yearling Colts, entry 113, height 15.2 hands, bone 7 1/2. S. Winkfield by Barcaldine; d. Lucky Glen by Favo; g. d. The Glen by Solon; gr. g. d. Ladywell by Haymaker.
Owner and breeder, Michael Smith, Curraghtown, Navan.
Hollymount, 6 years old, chesnut gelding, bred in Ireland.
Winner of First Class prize in Class 9, Hunters, entry 340 and the Hunters Champion Cup. Height 16-1 1/2 hands, girth 6ft 1 3/4in., bone 8 1/2. Bred in Ireland.
Owner H. Lindsay Fitzpatrick, Hollymount, Co. Mayo.
Bay gelding, 4 years old, bred in Co. Clare.
Winner of First prize £25 in Class 14, Four-years-old Mares or Geldings, entry 827, height 16 hands; s. False Note.
Owner Thomas J. Studdert, Grennanstown, Athboy, Co. Meath.
Golden Mine, chestnut gelding ; bred in Co. Cork ; s. Breach of Promise by Atheling ; d. by Speculation.
Winner of First Prize £30, entry 804 in Class 13, Four-years-old Mares or Geldings.
Owner Major M. J. Balfe, South Park, Castlerea.