RDS Horse Show 2026

CastlelackSportHorses

CastlelackSportHorses

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I know I know Im so premature but I need to start planning in order to make sure I get the best prep as possible.
Ill start with I haven't the foggiest idea about showing and what is needed etc.
I have ridden in approximately 3 "showing" shows in my life.
I have only evented and showjumped.

I plan to enter my love ginger into a showing class next year at the Royal Dublin Horse show, but I have no clue what class she would suit, I will do a few local shows during the summer and gauge what judges recommend.
I need to buy some showing gear also.
I have made a short list:
Tweed Jacket(I think I have a lovely duckegg blue one from a friend)
Creams jods
Cream shirt
Tie
Velvet hat
Double bridle(Must she have the double bit or can she have a pelham with double reins)
Show cane

Please feel free to wade in and give me advice or warn me off showing hahaha I don't know why I am going to pay someone to tell me my horse isnt "correct" but here we are :P

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There's usually some showing clinics in Spring with people like Joanne Quirke who will help you figure out the best dublin class for her and fine tune your turnout. Worth heading too if you can
 
RDS have two sportsman classes for amateurs- light/medium and heavy weights hunter l think they are. Otherwise there is large riding horse if over 15.2 , or small riding riding horse if under 15.2h, Although other more experienced members might say more what type she is best suited to! She's gorgeous!
 
buzzles said:
RDS have two sportsman classes for amateurs- light/medium and heavy weights hunter l think they are. Otherwise there is large riding horse if over 15.2 , or small riding riding horse if under 15.2h, Although other more experienced members might say more what type she is best suited to! She's gorgeous!
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Yes I was thinking about the Lightweight sportsman class alright but afraid she would be too small at 16hh?
I honestly haven't a clue.
Id love to do the workers but the track is usually a strong 110 and she wouldnt be ballsy enough! :P
 
Is she actually 16hh with shoes off and trimmed feet? 16hh puts you in annoying no mans land of being a bit small for hunters/riding horse and a bit tall for small hunter or small riding horse. I'd probably go for the LW Sportsman but do note they only take the first 20 entries so don't leave it late to enter!

What age is she? The lightweight hunter mares (4-5yo, 5-8yo) get low entries every year compared to the Sportsman.
 
druid said:
Is she actually 16hh with shoes off and trimmed feet? 16hh puts you in annoying no mans land of being a bit small for hunters/riding horse and a bit tall for small hunter or small riding horse. I'd probably go for the LW Sportsman but do note they only take the first 20 entries so don't leave it late to enter!

What age is she? The lightweight hunter mares (4-5yo, 5-8yo) get low entries every year compared to the Sportsman.
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Honestly Id have to measure her to get a proper height but I would say 16hh with shoes. She will be 8 next year!
 
CastlelackSportHorses said:
Honestly Id have to measure her to get a proper height but I would say 16hh with shoes. She will be 8 next year!
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Measure and see if you could be a genuine 158cm without shoes. If not, I'd have one crack at the LW Mares as it's her last year eligible and then you'll be able to do Sportsman in future years anyway.

I'd also get a wider noseband (Yes, really!)
 
ETA: Shorter tail (about 4" below the hocks when carried), Absorbine black on hooves (that's a preference one, some prefer all black hooves and seem say it's sacrilege to black out white hooves). If you go for a double bridle with a Pelham, please use a Rugby pelham with a slip head

For a good idea look up the photos for the relevant class and see what the winners turnout was.
 
druid said:
Measure and see if you could be a genuine 158cm without shoes. If not, I'd have one crack at the LW Mares as it's her last year eligible and then you'll be able to do Sportsman in future years anyway.

I'd also get a wider noseband (Yes, really!)
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I actually cant see that class that says 5-8yr old mares. Seems its 4/5yr old and 6yr old and over!
 
druid said:
ETA: Shorter tail (about 4" below the hocks when carried), Absorbine black on hooves (that's a preference one, some prefer all black hooves and seem say it's sacrilege to black out white hooves). If you go for a double bridle with a Pelham, please use a Rugby pelham with a slip head

For a good idea look up the photos for the relevant class and see what the winners turnout was.
Click to expand...
Yes I understand the tail needs to be shorter, but blacking out 4 white feet? Oh dear
 
CastlelackSportHorses said:
As far as I can see there are two LW mares classes 4-5yr old and 6yr old and over.
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Great, it was an upper limit of 10yo at one point and then it was reduced to 8yo as the classes were supposed to be a showcase of Irish horses potentially for sale, apparently. It was ridiculous and much argued against at the time (I want to say the reduction was around 2014/5). If they have listened to the producers and removed the limit I'm very glad!
 
In the classes I do in England and Wales would just use clear hoof oil or possibly clear varnish which should be cleaned off. It may be a different approach at the RDS. Very exciting to have the plan to do that though.
 
druid said:
ETA: Shorter tail (about 4" below the hocks when carried), Absorbine black on hooves (that's a preference one, some prefer all black hooves and seem say it's sacrilege to black out white hooves). If you go for a double bridle with a Pelham, please use a Rugby pelham with a slip head

For a good idea look up the photos for the relevant class and see what the winners turnout was.
Click to expand...


Yes, definitely good idea to look at the photos 😁
 
humblepie said:
In the classes I do in England and Wales would just use clear hoof oil or possibly clear varnish which should be cleaned off. It may be a different approach at the RDS. Very exciting to have the plan to do that though.
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Shes a gorgeous mare and not a world beater over fences so said Id try something different! Be nice to get all scrubbed up. :)
 
I looked quite a while back at the retrained racehorse class in Dublin not that I seriously would’ve been venturing over from here to compete but I seem to remember the entry fee being a lot of money. Are all the classes expensive to enter or have I read it wrongly?
 
humblepie said:
I looked quite a while back at the retrained racehorse class in Dublin not that I seriously would’ve been venturing over from here to compete but I seem to remember the entry fee being a lot of money. Are all the classes expensive to enter or have I read it wrongly?
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All €400 yes but I guess Its a once in a blue moon show! I wouldnt be going every year! (Unless she wins :P)
 
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