READY agreement to a major cut in the number of fixtures of approved equestrian events was undertaken last weekend to ensure Irish equestrian sport is kept open.

Significant cutbacks were implemented by Showjumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland and Dressage Ireland in response to serious signals from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine that the continuance of equestrian sport was under threat.

Interim CEO of Horse Sport Ireland Joe Reynolds said: “We are all cogs in the wheels and all of us have a part to play in keeping equestrian sport open. The main affiliates to Horse Sport Ireland played their part. Under threat of having the sport pulled, our affiliates of Eventing Ireland pulled their fixtures by one third and Dressage Ireland by almost 70% while Showjumping Ireland have capped daily entries and taken out all their overnight shows from the calendar.

“Those three key bodies all reacted to the risk straight away last Friday night and that was enough to reassure the DAFM officials that the equestrian industry was serious and were reacting to the Department’s concerns. The centres and Horse Sport Ireland were to have a meeting last weekend but it was postponed as some people were not available but we hope to have it soon.”

Confirmation awaited

Asked was there any confirmation from Government that more equestrian activity is going to be allowed back on April 26th – similar to the sports of golf and tennis which were both specifically mentioned by Government – Reynolds was cautiously optimistic.

“We are waiting to hear on that. They are being cautious. We would imagine and hope we would be included. You can hear NPHET making statements that are slightly different to what the Government is saying. We have sought clarification for equestrian sports and are waiting to hear back,” he said.

Officials and legal people are apparently working on tightening up the wording in the Statutory Instrument that was reported on in last week’s issue.

There is a sense of frustration among some amateur riders that they are complying with the regulations while other non-professionals are not.

However, anyone attending events must self-declare on forms that they are making a living from horses and they must be able to stand over those declarations.

EHV vaccines

On the EHV-1 vaccines, Reynolds clarified that “at cost does not mean free” and those availing of vaccines recently shipped in would have to pay associated additional costs.

“The vaccines came in at cost. Cost does not mean free, in case people are confused on that. On top of cost, there is additional charges for freight costs, handling, customs clearance. Overall the costs are a lot lower than they normally are.

“People should be aware that their vets are also going to have their administration and call-out charges. We made an assessment of the highest risks in the sport horse side which were the FEI registered horses.

“We have done that and are now going to work our way through the various categories to the next highest risk. We are looking at the riders for the Spring Tour and the National Grand Prix and similar.

“We are trying to do it on the basis of the horses in movement.

“One of the failings in this process is that it is not possible to know how many horses are vaccinated in Ireland, we are shooting in the dark a bit.

“Meanwhile, the regular suppliers expect to have vaccines back in stock in May so that should ease the availability situation of it,” said Reynolds.