But for Covid–19, thousands of us would right now be preparing for the start of next week’s Dublin Horse show. For many it makes their year. So we are missing it and are reminded that we should never take any of our wonderful events for granted. However, thinking that the RDS is the Horse Show or that the Horse Show is the RDS is not the true picture.

History

After all, the Royal Dublin Society was in existence 137 years before it ran the first Dublin Horse Show back in 1868. Now, as it heads toward its 300th birthday the RDS can look back on so many other projects that it initiated during the intervening centuries for the improvement of our island.

The Botanical Gardens, National Museum, National Art Gallery, Veterinary College, National College of Art, College of Science and National Library amongst others all owe their beginnings to the RDS. The Irish Shows Association (ISA) was started by it back in 1946 and indeed Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has its roots there as our first official Irish equestrian federation. All of these institutions and organisations were begun to deliver on the society’s core founding mission “for the improvement of husbandry and useful arts and sciences.” When the time was right most of these initiatives were passed to the care of other bodies.

But it is significant that for over 160 years the society has stayed with the horse show. What a blessing that is since annually it now costs close to €5m to run. What other organisation could take that on? The show contributes over €800m to the Irish economy annually.

Looking ahead

Thus, during this pause in the horse show’s history I imagine a good deal of introspection will be going on within the various RDS committees as to whether the event is truly fulfilling that role. Is it helping the Irish horse industry in reaching new heights? Is there need for some ruthless prioritisation in its selection of classes? Are we doing enough toward making Ireland the best horse producing country in the world? All of these questions will be examined by the committee ahead of next years show.

Back in the 1750s when the RDS introduced its charter, the Irish Lord Lieutenant of the time, Lord Chesterfield, said: “The society has done more for Ireland than any laws could. Invitation, example and fashion, with some premiums added, is the only method of bring[ing] the people of Ireland to do what they ought to do and that is the plan of your society.”

To this day that remains the plan of the Horse Show, and we are lucky to have it returning to our calendars for 2021.