The Dublin Horse show has been officially opened by Dublin's Lord Mayor, Michael MacDonncha, in the RDS.
The event is worth 45 million euro to the local economy, and prize money of one million euro is up for grabs.
The Lord Mayor Michael MacDonncha attended the Dublin Horse Show for the first time to officially open the five-day long event today.
"I would have followed it especially as a child in the seventies when everybody was bowled-over by the televised show jumping," he said.
"It's very much part of Dublin and a very important part of our tourism economy," he continued.
Eddie Moloney is from Warrington in Kilkenny, and has been jumping here since he was seven.
This year, he’s accompanied by his nine- year-old daughter Emily.
"It was always my dream to be able to ride here and get to ride with my dad as well," she said.
There is more to the 144th annual horse show than just jumping as the event is host to attractions suitable for all ages.
Chief executive, Michael Duffy, said, "There's a lot of jumping and showing to be done but if your first love isn't horses there's an awful lot else to do here because we've got trade stands, we've got kid zones and entertainment."
One hundred thousand people are expected between today and Sunday, with team Ireland hoping to regain the Aga Khan trophy on Friday.
The show continues until Sunday, with Ladies’ Day on tomorrow.
