The RDS is to stage the Dublin Horse Show in 1998. The event had been cancelled because the World Equestrian Games were to have been held on the grounds next year.
Now that the world event is not going ahead here, the Royal Dublin Society has applied to Federation Equestre Internationale to stage the event on the traditional dates in August of next year.
Confirmation that the event will be staged again next year was given by the
RDS chief executive, Mr Shane Cleary, when he announced details of this year's event, the Kerrygold Horse Show, at the grounds yesterday.
Mr Cleary said there had been an uncertainty about next year both at home and abroad but that was now resolved with the application by the society.
He said this year's show, to be held from Wednesday, August 6th, to Sunday,
August 10th, promises to be one of the best with riders and horses from 11
nations competing for record prize money of £234,0000.
Olympic gold medalists, Germany, silver medalists USA and individual silver medalists, Switzerland and Ireland's European champion, Peter Charles, will take part.
Mr Cleary said all seven international teams are in the top eight places in the current nations cup league, so competition is bound to be exciting and intense.
The countries taking part are Ireland, France, Germany, Britain, Netherlands,
Switzerland and the United States and there will be individual riders from
Belgium, Japan, Jordan and South Africa.
More than 900 horses, ponies and donkeys have been entered in the showing classes. Some 5,000 square metres of covered and open exhibition space has been booked by 350 trade exhibitors from home and abroad.
The society has decided to extend the show to Sunday because of last year's success. The show now begins on Wednesday, rather than the traditional Tuesday opening.
On the Sunday, the society is offering free admission to four children in the company of two adults who purchase the special £12 Sunday family ticket.