Madam,

Observing and chatting to others at the Le Lion breeding championships for six and seven-year-old eventers last weekend, the same reccurring theme was discussed again and again.

It was all about the need for ‘blood’ (ie thoroughbred blood) in the top event horse and how much blood our rival continental studbooks now have.

Yet the sire use table in Horse Sport Ireland’s publication of foals registered shows we hit the bottom of TB sire use in the years 2010 and 2011. These are precisely the crops from which the Le Lion horses will be coming from for the next couple of years.

In fairness (and thanks to dedicated individuals like the TIHA), thoroughbred use is turning around, but the industry needs serious help and direction to survive the hump and to see fruition.

These were also the crops from which, for well into the next decade, we will be needing the three and four-star eventing performers (generally aged 10 to 16 years) who earn the WBFSH points each year to keep Ireland at the top of the eventing table.

Seems to me like Ireland will be running out of desirable stock just when the world demand is going to take off. The question is, which law of economics will apply? Will those who have the right product (well-bred, good conformation, well-produced and above all able to pass the vetting) see the market as a sellers’ one?

Or will the buyers simply find empty shelves and sugar off in despair?

My point is that the lead-lag cycle from loss-making foal to valuable sport horse requires skilled long-term planned investment to balance the industry. No foal: no future? The cycle is too long and out of sync to leave market forces to do the job. This investment is not the same as a quick political fix to buy votes. Yet it could be, as Reaching New Heights was born with the potential to do both jobs.

So why do I get this feeling that lack of implementation and commitment from the official leaders of this industry, who seem to always talk forward yet walk back, is letting the sands of one golden opportunity after another slip through their fingers?

Yours etc,

John Watson,

Ballybolger House,

Co Carlow