As told through the team behind Clonmel Show.
On Sunday 6th July, the gates will open at Clonmel Racecourse (E91 EP20) and thousands will pour in for one of the biggest shows of the summer. From 8:30am to 6:30pm, Clonmel Show delivers a packed programme: 108 horse and pony classes, 4 showjumping rings, 56 cattle classes, 120+ sheep classes, goats, poultry, vintage displays, over 100 trade stands, a full craft and horticulture village, children’s amusements, live music—and even a Donkey Derby to close out the day.
With standout qualifiers for HOYS, RIHS, and Side Saddle League, this show is as much about serious competition as it is about community spectacle. And with adult tickets at €20 (€18 online), students/OAPs at €15, teens €10, and kids under 16 free, it’s one of the best-value days out in the Irish summer.
Ten days out, the build begins. Volunteers assemble 50 rings, enclosures, wash bays, pens, trade zones, and full showjumping courses. “We’re seasoned enough to deal with the unplanned,” say the organisers. “What you want is no major incidents, no accidents—and a good day for the competitors and public alike”.
The show kicks off at 8:30am sharp, and by 9, led ponies, small hunters, working hunter lead reins, and show ponies fill the grounds. By midday, the crowds grow, weaving between arenas, stalls, and the music stage. Families join from lunchtime onward, kids queuing for face painting or leading pets into the 3pm Pet Show. Then, at around 5pm, the crowd turns toward one of the show’s legendary moments—the Donkey Derby, a “laugh-a-minute” chaos of riders hanging on for dear life.
The show’s reputation isn’t just built on buzz—it’s earned through calibre. Clonmel offers HOYS qualifiers for In-Hand Price and Ridden Connemara, alongside classes tied to RIHS, ISA, Tatts/Treo Eile, Side Saddle League, and Showing Ireland.
Prize money is great. The €4,000 Thoroughbred Mare Class—run in partnership with Coolmore—is the highest-paying TB class in Ireland. The €1,000 Hunter Championship, plus 28 additional championships, ensure Clonmel attracts the best of the best. Thanks to a €5,000 HSI Breeding Grant, the show also honours breeders and producers of Ridden and Led Connemara, Hunter Mares, and Riding Ponies.
The Horse and Pony section alone runs across 6 rings with 15 judges, 50 stewards, and a 4-person office team. “The schedule planning and timing has been meticulous,” they note—crediting the equestrian committee of twelve for steering the whole ship.
This year, Clonmel Show will be featured in Series 5 of TG4’s ‘Beidh Aonach Amárach’, following four competitors in their prep journey. It’s a proud moment for the organisers—and a rare chance to see the spirit of the show captured on screen, with the Connemara and Side Saddle classes front and centre.
Also new for 2025 is the ‘Trip to Tipp Bonus’ with neighbouring Killusty Show—offering €50 bonuses to matching pony-rider combos who win the same classes at both events. A smart incentive, and a nod to how well both shows collaborate for the good of competitors.
And for the animal lovers: the Doggie Rescue Class debuts this year, joining the crowd-favourite Dog Agility Competition. Expect full rings and big reactions.
Advice for first-timers? “Get a good mentor. And don’t be afraid to ask the ring stewards—they’ll spot if tack or turnout needs tweaking and give you a quiet word before judging.” This ethos of guidance and support runs deep at Clonmel, where committee members are just as keen to welcome newcomers as they are to see loyal faces return.
That blend is deliberate. “We’re very aware of the need to attract a newer audience—of both competitors and spectators,” they said. And it shows.
The show simply wouldn’t run without the effort of the full crew: the 12-person Equestrian Committee, the wider Clonmel Show team, the 100+ volunteers who build, rope, set up, clean, steward, judge, manage rings, load wings and poles, prep parking, and handle logistics—all while ensuring the public and participants enjoy a seamless day.
Sponsors play a huge role, too. Their loyalty and support allow Clonmel to maintain its class-leading prize money structure and deliver a high-standard experience at every level.
When asked what they’re most excited about this year, the answer was simple: “Seeing Clonmel Show on TV, and watching how it captures the energy we put into this. Also, delighted to be part of the Trip to Tipp Bonus—it’s wonderful that both shows work so closely together.”
If you’ve never been? “Give it a go. At €20 for a whole day’s entertainment, that’s cracking good value.”
Clonmel delivers a show worth watching—and a day worth remembering.
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