The Show starts at 8am with the official opening by The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Eibhlin Byrne, taking place in the RDS Main Hall at midday following his arrival in the Lord Mayor's coach.
The five-day show, with over €750,000 in prize money on offer, has attracted a world class field for the showing competitions, Ireland's finest show jumpers and the top eight show jumping teams in the world – Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, The Netherlands and the United States of America.
With e485,000 of the overall prize money dedicated to the 12 international jumping competitions spread over the five days of the Show, visitors are assured of seeing some of the finest show jumping in the world.
RDS Chief Executive, Michael Duffy, said: "The RDS show grounds are a hive of activity over the next few days with not only the arrival of over 1,400 horses and ponies but also more than 300 trade exhibitors moving the last of their products on to their stands and putting the finishing touches to their displays. The Main Arena, with the impressive new Grand Stand, is being set-up for the first of the international competitions.
"Competitors are shampooing and grooming their charges and the air of excitement and expectation is everywhere. The RDS Fodder Stores are well stocked with 3,000 of bales of hay, 4,000 bales of straw, shavings and peat moss, sorted and ready for the equestrian exhibitors. Special supplementary foods including crushed oats, bran and carrots are also available for horses with more discerning palates.
"The Show will maintain its high quality international and national show jumping combined with a wide breadth of entertainment, from the style and glamour of Evian Ladies' Day to the excitement of the Kids' Zone. The Show is an experience for the whole family."
Hundreds of extra staff have been taken on to help in the final preparations for this premier equestrian event. Dozens of voluntary stewards, judges, veterinary surgeons, doctors, first aid personnel and farriers are on hand to see that the Show runs smoothly and continues to be a great success.
Online ticket booking and a provisional programme of events is available on the 2008
Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show website at www.dublinhorseshow.com