The RDS has announced that the 2020 Dublin Horse Show has been cancelled, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

"The health and safety of all of those who come together for the Horse Show has been a priority for the RDS in making this decision," the organisers remarked in a statement this afternoon. "This includes visitors from Ireland and from around the world, competitors, volunteers, trade exhibitors, RDS Members, staff, partners, contractors and suppliers. The RDS responsibility to contribute to the national effort in controlling the virus in Ireland was an important factor in this decision.

"The scale of the Show necessitates preparations beginning months in advance, with horses in training around Ireland for the many national competitions held as part of the Show. Qualifiers scheduled to begin this month are unable to proceed this year in the current circumstances. In addition, the RDS begins its on-site preparations many months in advance of the five-day Show which attracts over 100,000 visitors.

"The decision reached was that cancellation of this year’s Show was in the best interests of public health and safety and that providing certainty at this early stage would be beneficial to everyone involved, from the visiting public, to the sport horse industry, to key partners of the Show."

The organisers have announced that all tickets purchased by phone or online will be automatically refunded by Ticketmaster.

Michael Duffy, Chief Executive of the RDS, has claimed that he is already in discussions with the International Equestrian Federation about the dates for the 2021 Dublin Horse Show – at which the RDS expect to welcome back 10,000s of visitors for the 147th show.

According to the Dublin Horse Show's website, the show was previously cancelled during WWI, and also in 1940 due to WWII – continuing with just national show jumping competitions between 1941 and 1945. The Aga Khan was previously cancelled due to swamp fever in 1966, although the rest of the show went ahead as normal.