This year’s Dublin Horse Show takes place at the RDS from August 8th to 12th.
Along the thousands of people looking forward to the event is Yvonne Connolly and her daughter Ali.
Like many families attending the event, Yvonne has revealed that it is a long-standing tradition of hers and that she is passing down to her own children.
Speaking to VIP Magazine, the star shared the significance of the event.
“My uncle was an international show jumper so I used to go to Dublin Horse show every year and he would bring me.
“At that stage he was a past international show jumper so he still had access to the pocket so I spent all my time there in the RDS and I would literally be surrounded by my heroes, I would have John Whitaker, Nick Skelton and the Irish showjumpers like Eddie Macken and Joe Mullins and these people were like gods to me,” she said.
Reminiscing about her childhood she added: “I used to walk into the horseshow and as soon as I walked in the gate I’d get the smell of hoof oil and leather and sawdust and it would just be my happy place. I have really great memories as a kid.”
With over 1,500 horses and ponies, 135 competitions, over 300 shopping stands, food and drink stalls dotted all over the grounds as well kids’ entertainment and 8 world-ranking international show jumping competitions, there’s plenty to do for everyone in the family.
Alongside five days of international competition, the Show has much to offer visitors with some boutique fashion and craft offerings alongside equine products, from both home and abroad.
You can take the time to indulge at the champagne bar, while pony rides and bouncy castles in Keeling’s Kids’ Zone will keep little ones entertained. It’s truly one of the events of the summer.
Yvonne’s love of horses has been passed down to her daughter Ali, who is a keen horse rider. And the mum-of-three explains why it’s the perfect place for kids.
“I’ll be there with my daughter Ali, it’s a really safe place to bring kids it’s a great family day out.
“And there are 300 stands there so even if you have no equine interests you can buy everything from scarfs to candles. You can obviously buy everything equine related and also if you’re not massively interested in horses there is also the donkey show ad the pony club games and things like that, so there are tons. It’s a great day out,” she added.
“I think most people when they get there they spend a day there and realise they probably need more and come back the next day. It really is a great family day out.”