Equine Attractions In Ireland: The Best 5 Days Out

1)The Galway Races - July 28th to August 3rd This racing festival dates back from 1869 and has many individual races throughout the week with the highest prize around 200,000 euros and is available to see throughout the world. It has a reputation of being highly spirited just like the jockeys and the horses and the event welcomes around 200,000 equine enthusiasts every year. It is set during the last week of July at the Ballybrit Racecourse and is a real treat for all equine enthusiasts.

2)The Dublin Horse Show 2008 06-10th August This is a massive exhibition set in the heart of Irelands capital Dublin within the massive RDS complex. It has a huge range of equine based equipment for sale but if you enjoy shopping there are many other things to spend on in the large trade hall with around 300 individual stalls. The main event of the week in terms of racing is the winning of the Aga Khan Challenge Trophy when in total eight countries have rivalled for the title.

3)County Monaghan: Castle Lesley This Beautiful Irish Castle is one of only 30 still owned by the original family who have owned it since the 1660s, they have accommodated many famous people over the last 400 years and boasts amazingly luxurious accommodation. The Castle Leslie Equestrian Centre is placed within beautiful countryside and is placed perfectly to enjoy horse riding and recently unveiled a premium equestrian centre that caters for all abilities. Services include 1,000 acres of private land with over 300 purpose built jumps, 21 miles of bridleways to simply enjoy the surroundings and an extensive range of indoor activities for those rainy days.

4)Goffs - Horse Sale Show Goffs is based in Kill, County Kildare is the best bloodstock supplier in Ireland and organize special annual events to sell quality horses to people who are interested in owning horses. The auctions are available on line also but to visit the auction means all the stimulation of an auction as well as seeing some of the beautiful horses and meeting other horse enthusiast. Goffs Million Sale is held this year on 29th September to 1st October, showing 657 premium yearlings and includes eligibility to the Goffs Millions with the huge prize fund of 3,200,000 Euros.

5)27 Racecourses Nation Wide It is a fact that there are more racecourses per head in the emerald isle than anywhere else in the world so where ever your accommodation your will always be close to a day at the races. The total number of visitors nationwide is nearly 1.5 million to the 27 unique racecourses. The courses range from national hunt to flat or a combination of the two.

About The Author Chelsea is a intermittent columnist, writing infrequent columns on Equestrian for Anything Equestrian, who specialise in equestrian boots and bridles.