The 147th Dublin Horse Show is under way in the RDS.

The event, which was first held in 1864, had been postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It takes place over the next five days and includes national and international show jumping competitions, entertainment, food and festivities.

The event was officially opened by Dublin's Lord Mayor, Cllr Caroline Conroy, who arrived at the venue in the Lord Mayor's horse drawn carriage that dates back to 1791

Some of the world's foremost show jumpers are attending, including US Olympic rider Jessica Springstein, daughter of singer Bruce.

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Horse Show Director Pat Hanly has been working hard with the RDS team for this year's show.

"There has been great support and energy around it. I think Covid has given people time and space to renew their interest in horses and the show is hugely important nationally and internationally," Mr Hanly said.

"Usually we get in excess of 100,000 people attending, but with very strong advance tickets sales we hope to exceed that this year."

Roughly 1,600 horses will take part in 168 equestrian events. Among those will be 35 national and 15 international showjumping competitions, with a total prize fund of €1.25m.

Highlights include Ladies' Day tomorrow, with a €10,000 voucher for the Very Best Dressed person.

The Longines Aga Khan Trophy competition takes place on Friday with seven top teams taking part, including Ireland.

Saturday will see the Landrover Puissance take place, while the Longines Grand Prix is on Sunday.

It is a costly show to run, but it is part and parcel of the what the RDS is all about, according to Commercial Director Michelle Griffin.

"We're probably heading for €6m this year, with cost inflation included, but the RDS was set up originally to make Ireland a better place culturally and economically and one of the ways of doing that was through equestrianism," she said.

Jamie Smyth and Rocky pictured ahead of the opening of the Dublin Horse Show (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

"We operate as a not-for-profit charity, and the costs will be recouped through commercial sales we have for trade stands, corporate hospitality ticket sales and we have a lot of really good sponsors as well."