The top eight show jumping teams in the world will battle it out at the Dublin Horse Show in the RDS which begins today.
Teams from Belgium, France Germany, Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the US are competing in this year's Super League for the Aga Khan Trophy on Friday.
The Irish team comprises Captain Shane Carey with Killossery and Laughton's Lass; Marion Hughes with Heritage Transmission, Heritage Fortunas and Heritage O'Jessie; Cian O'Connor with Waterford Crystal, ABC Land Liebe and Irish Independent Annabella 26; Billy Twomey with Luidam, Whinnie Jackson and Milton Paladin; Jessica Kurten with Quibell and Castle Forbes Bolivar. The Chef d'Equipe is Colonel Ned Campion.
A total of 1,400 horses and ponies from nearly every county in Ireland will pass through the Showgrounds over the next five days. There are a record 95 showing and special category classes, both ridden and led, and 34 national jumping competitions for horses and ponies.
The show, which has just over half a million euro on offer in prizemoney, is expected to attract more than 100,000 people.
There are a record 275 trade stands selling consumer goods, equestrian clothing, millinery, tack, wines and confectionery. This year's show includes first time exhibitors from China and Peru who will be joined by traders from Germany, Austria, Italy and Botswana.
Entertainment will be provided by Macnas, a motorcycle acrobatic team and puppeteers. Music will be performed daily on the Band Lawn.
Children can look forward to meeting Dino the Dinosaur, Merlin the Wizard and Louis the Lion.
Tomorrow is Ladies' Day when fierce competition is expected. The top prize for the best dressed woman is a €10,000 Appleby diamond.
Commenting on the 2004 show, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue, said: "This equestrian spectacular showcases all that is best about the Irish horse industry and helps significantly to enhance Ireland's reputation as a leading equestrian holiday destination."
The Dublin Horse Show is open from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. daily. An adult daily ticket costs €15. Senior citizens, children under 16 and students with ID card pay €10.
A family ticket admitting 2 adults and up to 4 children under 16 costs €38. Families travelling to the Show by DART will be given a €5 discount on presentation of their ticket.