DUBLIN HORSE SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19453, 8 October 1926, Page 12

DUBLIN HORSE SHOW.

IRELAND'S NATIONAL FETE.

ALL RECORDS SURPASSED, f INTERNATIONAL CONTEST. [FROM our own correspondent.] DUBLIN. Auk. 12. Of all the months August holds first place in Ireland, for with August comes the Dublin horse show, one of the most fashionable and popular functions in Great Britain. There is a glamour about the Dublin horse show possessed by no other event of its kind, and this is even more noticeable since the Free State had its birth. For one whole week Dublin is en fete, visitor's throng to the city from all parts of Ireland, from Great Britain, America and the colonies. Primarily the horse show's importance, is economic. Last year the blood-stock sales amounted to £70,000 —a few years ago £15,000 would have been a fair average, but a remarkable advance has been made in th'e industry since the war. This year a record entry has been received. Next to pure agriculture, horse-breeding is the country's greatest asset—last year the export of horses from Ireland was valued at nearly £2,000,000 —and provides great employment throughout the rural areas. But it is the efforts of the Royal Dublin Society, which allowed nothing to dampen its enthusiasm even in bad times, that are responsible for the fame of the horse show that has brought Irish bloodstock before the notice of the world. A new featui'e has been added to the show this year, an international military jumping competition for the challenge trophy presented by the Aga Khan, a well-known figure in racing circles. Entries have been received from Great Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland and the Irish Free State.

It was remarkable that the moment the officers representing Great Britain appeared on the ground, the air was rent with cheers of welcome.

Of the competing parties, the four officers representing Switzerland were far and away the best. They won the coveted trophy presented by the Aga Khan,-with Ireland as & very close second, England third, France fourth and Holland and Belgium winding up with only two points between them. Throughout the competitions—and a separate competition was held each day—lreland did more than hold her own, for, although her army is new and one would not expect the horsemen to be as expert* as those with years of training at their back, her chosen representatives were horsemen and sportsmen long before the National Army was thought of. Last year the horse show surpassed all expectations, but the spring show, held early this year, eclipsed that event; and now this year's horse show has again made a fresh record. Last year the attendances were 67,129; this this figure h,3>s been increased to 93,591, and all other records have also gone by the board. The bloodstock sales produced 85,000gns.—a splendid contribution to the nation's wealth and a wonderful advertisement for the horse-breeding industry and an increase of 11,455gn5. on last year's total. Th& sale of yearlings was beyond 3 1 J dreams. Mr. P. Dunn Cullinan, a well-known horseowner, realised as much as £2OOO for one animal and another owner's sales totalled £17,000.

During the week Dublin was thronged, the hotels were filled to overflowing, visitors from all parts of the world, and 'especially from United States of America, landing in hundreds each day. As a windup to the week's festivities the so-called Free State National Anthem was played by the Army Band, and officially recognised as such. Nobody knew what it was to be, but were soon enlightened when the strains of the well-known rebel air, " The Soldiers' Song," were heard. After a few \ moments of hesitancy, the crowd in the theatre where it was played rose to their feet out of courtesy to the nation, and now we have it officially that the Frco State National Anthem is " The Soldiers' Song."