"Dublin's Stadia Series 1 - Royal Dublin Society" series - this cache is one of seven in the series. The stadia are the National stadia for their respective sports.
The series consists of:
| Croke Park Gaelic Football & Hurling |
| The Aviva Stadium Soccer & Rugby |
| The RDS Ballsbridge Show Jumping |
| Morton Stadium Athletics |
| The National Basketball Arena Basketball |
| The National Stadium SCR Boxing |
| The National Aquatic Centre Swimming |
The series will bring you to stadia, both old and new, of Dublin city and will hopefully give you an appreciation for the love of all sport that is alive not only in this city, but in the country in general. The various venues are of different ages and sizes. They are impressive and imposing structures within their surrounding localities.
Royal Dublin Society - RDS
RDS Main Arena is an outdoor stadium that hosts the world renowned Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show. It is also the home of the Heineken Cup winning Leinster Rugby team and caters for concerts of up to 35,000.
Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show takes place at the RDS in August every year. The Horse Show is a Dublin institution. A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.
The Dublin Horse Show began in 1868 on the lawns of Leinster House. The Council granted £100 out of the Society’s funds to be awarded in prizes. It started as a show of led-horses and featured ‘leaping’ demonstrations. The first prize for the Stone Wall competition (6ft) in 1868 was won by Richard Flynn on hunter Shane Rhue (who sold for £1,000 later that day). Ass and mule classes were listed at the first show!
1869 was the year ‘horse leaping’ came to prominence. There was the high leap over hurdles trimmed with gorse; the wall jump over a loose stone wall of progressive height not exceeding 6 feet; and the wide leap over 2 ½ ft gorse-filled hurdle with 12 ft of water on the far side. The original rules for the leaping competitions were simply ‘the obstacles had to be cleared to the satisfaction of the judges’. The prizes for the high and wide leaps were £5 for first and £2 for second with £10 and a cup to the winner of the championship and a riding crop and a fiver to the runner up.
In 1870 the Show was named ‘The National Horse Show’.
In 1881 the Show moved to ‘Ball’s Bridge’, a greenfield site, where it has been held annually ever since.... The first continuous ‘leaping’ course was introduced. The first viewing stand was also erected then on the site of the present Grand Stand. It held 800 people.
No lady was allowed to ride in any jumping competition until 1919. A novelty class for women was introduced in 1919. In 1920 women were able to compete freely. Women were permitted to compete in the international competitions from 1954 (an international rule). In times past the Ladies Hunter Classes for ladies riding side-saddle in traditional costume (veil and habit) were judged on the Thursday of the Show. As a result Thursday became Ladies’ Day.
In 1925 Colonel Zeigler of the Swiss Army first suggested holding an international jumping event. The Aga Khan of the time heard of this proposal and offered a challenge trophy to the winner of the competition. In 1926 International Competitions were introduced to the show and was the first time the Nations’ Cup for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy was held. Up until 1949 the Nations’ Cup teams had to consist of military officers.
Six countries competed in the first international teams competition for the Aga Khan Challenge trophy – Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Ireland. The Swiss team won the title on Irish bred horses. The Swiss team won out the original trophy in 1930. Ireland won the first replacement in 1937 and another in 1979. The present trophy is the sixth in the series and was presented by His Highness the Aga Khan in 1980.
The first Grand Prix (Irish Trophy) held in 1934 was won by Comdt.J.D.(Jed) O'Dwyer, of the Army Equitation school. The Irish Trophy becomes the possession of the rider if it is won three times in succession or four times in all.
The first civilian rider to take part in the Nations’ Cup was Peter Robeson on Craven A. He was also a member of the winning British team that year. The first timed jumping competition was held in 1938. In 1951 an electric clock was installed and the time factor entered most competitions. In 1976, after 50 years of international competition, the two grass banks in the Arena were removed so the Arena could be used for other events. The continental band at the western end of the Main Arena was added later.
Shows have been held annually except from 1914-1919 due to WW1 and from 1940 – 1946 due to WW2.
Today, the Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show showcases the best show horses and national and international show-jumpers and is Ireland’s leading equestrian event, and one of the largest events held on the island. The show has the third largest annual prize pool for International Show Jumping in the world.
In 2009 the RDS staged the Meydan FEI Top League Nations Cup Final, where the top ten show-jumping teams competed for the prestigious Aga Khan trophy and to secure their place in the 2010 League. Other highlights of the Show are the crowd thrilling Hunt Chase and the electrifying Pony Club games, not to mention the many show classes showcasing top class horses including Irelands’ native breeds such as the Irish Draught and Connemara pony.
Catering for everyone the Fáilte Ireland Horse Show includes an exhibition of crafts and antiques,a diverse range of shopping & exhibition stands with many food outlets, restaurants and bars on site.
The Horse Show continues to celebrate the Irish-bred horse on an international stage, with the aim of setting standards in equine breeding and performance and endeavouring to create a market place for Irish bred horses.
The cache - Don't forget to bring your own pen. Stealth is required in this urban location. Please be aware of the many people who pass by this busy spot, and also the muggles at the near by bus stop. Please replace the cache exactly as you found it, ensuring it is not visible.