THE Royal Dublin Society today announced the cancellation of the 2021 Dublin Horse Show (August 18th-22nd) and proposes instead to host the five-day RDS National Championships behind closed doors this August.

This is the second successive year that the Covid-19 pandemic has lead to the cancellation of the iconic Dublin Horse Show which is Ireland's only five-star international equestrian event - worth an estimated €50 million to the Irish economy in normal times.

A statement released by the RDS at 1pm today said: "The RDS has been monitoring the evolving situation regarding Covid-19, including the vaccination rates and the latest Government advice. In the current circumstances it has been decided that it will not be possible to operate a Dublin Horse Show this year. Preparations for a typical Dublin Horse Show take many months of planning and organisation, and this has not been possible this year with the levels of uncertainty that still exist around the re-opening of Irish society.

"Instead, it is our intention to host an ‘RDS National Championships’ for selected national competitions across show jumping and showing classes on August 18th-22nd, subject to Government approval.

"The international governing body on equine sport (Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI)) has been informed that no international show jumping competitions will take place at the RDS this year. The RDS National Championships will consist of a reduced number of national competitions which will be spread over three days of show jumping and two days of showing classes.

"The RDS National Championships will be held ‘behind closed doors’. Entry to the event will be restricted to equestrian competitors for the day of their competition only. The RDS is mindful of acting responsibly during these times and the event will only proceed on foot of Government approval, which is currently being sought."

Supporting equestrian industry

The RDS statement continued: "Our desire to host the RDS National Championships, despite the exceptionally challenging circumstances, is motivated by our commitment to support the sport horse industry during this very difficult time. We would like to acknowledge and thank the ongoing support of our sponsors, who are crucial to the viability of the Dublin Horse Show, as well as the understanding of the equestrian community for whom the Show is a yearly highlight.

"We look forward to hosting the Dublin Horse Show in 2022 and welcoming tens of thousands of visitors back each day to a summer staple that people have known and loved for generations. The RDS has been liaising with Show Jumping Ireland and equestrian venues around the country on the potential operation of the RDS National Championships and the hosting of qualifying events for competitors, which are due to take place in the coming weeks. Details of these qualifying competitions will be confirmed shortly."

The selected classes to be contested at the RDS National Championships are:

Showing Classes:

Wednesday 18 August;

• Yearlings

• Two-Year-Olds

• Three-Year-Olds (in hand)

• Young Horse Championships

• Three-Year-Old Potential Event Horses

Thursday 19 August;

• Irish Draught Mares & Foals

• Breeders’ Championship

• Show Hunter Championships

• Three Year Old Loose Performance

Show Jumping Classes:

Friday 20 August;

• 148cm 6 & 7 Year Old Ponies

• 148cm Ponies

• 138cm Ponies

• 128cm Ponies

• Children on Horses

Saturday 21 August;

• Amateurs

• Young Riders (1.10m – 1.15m)

• Young Riders (1.25m - 1.30m)

• Young Riders (1.35m - 1.40m)

• 4 Year Old Horses

Sunday 22 August;

• 5 Year Old Horses

• 6 Year Old Horses

• 7 Year Old Horses

• 8 & 9 Year Old Horses