1. The Aga Khan Part of the Meydan FEI Nations’ Cup series.
High drama and excitement. Although condemned to minority status and little TV coverage, showjumping – an Olympic sport and one of the few, along with eventing and dressage, where men and women compete on level terms – is a supreme test of horse and rider. The Aga Khan is one of the sporting events of the year and is televised. Sell the car to get your ticket for Friday’s competition. Britain and Germany – last year’s winners – are always the ones to beat; Ireland also has a good record.
2. Longines Grand PrixThe most prestigious of the many international classes, and it always provides a fitting finale for a great week.
3. Show Hunter and Working Hunter classesWith beautiful horses, immaculately turned out, ridden by supreme horsemen and women, these classes are incredibly competitive and demonstrate a different technical artistry from that seen in showjumping.
4. The Irish Draught horse:Living Irish heritage, struggling for deserved recognition, the former foundation stock of Irish showjumping. This is a type that became a breed and has proved itself to be intelligent, versatile, kindly, the backbone of Irish hunting and the horse most suited to all levels of rider. Mare and foal classes are always impressive, while the ridden class displays the Irish Draught under saddle. The stallion class usually includes a range of the traditional and more modern, sport horse examples of the breed.
5. Young Horse classesA chance to see the showjumpers of the future competing with their peers. But don't forget to have a look at the Breeders' Championship, with mares and foals, which highlights the even younger potential champions of the future.
6. Connemara Pony classesHail to the great small horse with the heart of a lion. This tremendous native breed has conquered the world – tough, brave, talented, capable of carrying adults and more often than not, intelligent beyond reasonable expectation.
7. Side-Saddle classesElegant and beautiful. If the world was run by the women who ride with dignity and authority as in these gracious, highly competitive classes, it would not be in the mess it is in.
8. Behind the scenesThere is a chance to see the bustle going on around the stables, watch as last-minute grooming touches increase the shine here, remove the stain there. Many a young child has had his or her eyes opened by seeing riders of all levels preparing for a class at the Dublin Horse Show.
9. The young riders in the pony classesNowhere is competition as white hot as in the pony classes, especially the show pony classes. But the jumping classes make for a definitive blood rush – and that's only the crowd reaction. Daring stuff – the riders here are brave and impressively skilled. This is the chance to see exactly how tough ponies, the street fighters of showjumping, really are.
10. Love stories beginBe warned, recession or not, people will continue to fall in love with horses. Many of the horses competing at the show will be for sale. Look at it this way, aside from your dog – or your bank manager – no relationship in your life will be as intense, as fraught and as rewarding as the one with your powerful, generous and vulnerable horse. Who needs a new car?
