MADAM,

I am writing as both a concerned parent and an active member of Showjumping Ireland. My family has done everything possible to ensure our four children can follow tradition and experience the true grassroots Irish equestrian life - the very foundation that has produced some of the world’s greatest riders.

The introduction of this new €60 levy by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is not merely an administrative fee. It is, in effect, a talent tax that will restrict opportunities for young Irish riders and limit their ability to build careers abroad.

Each entry made by owners, trainers, or sponsors will now carry an additional €60 on top of an already extremely costly sport. These added fees can amount to hundreds of euro per show. Faced with such expenses, why would anyone choose to hire an Irish rider? Inevitably, they will seek more affordable talent elsewhere and invest their resources outside of Ireland.

This short-sighted levy will have a profoundly negative impact on our sport and on the future of Irish equestrian talent. Although €60 may appear small in isolation, the underlying intention seems far more concerning - generating significant revenue at the expense of Ireland’s riders.

As a parent of four children, three of whom compete at FEI level, I know firsthand how this fee becomes yet another barrier in a sport already pushed far beyond the reach of many families.

For a country that claims to champion world-class horses and riders, HSI has, in my opinion, grown increasingly obstructive.

At this point, it seems clear to me that HSI is not seeking solutions, it is simply placing further financial strain on already overstretched members to compensate for its own shortcomings.

HSI states that the funds from this levy will be used for high-performance coaching in Ireland, yet stakeholders have not been shown a draft, proposal, or breakdown of how these funds will be allocated.

As someone who regularly travels to international shows, I can say that high performance in Ireland appears to be largely self-funded by the competitors and their sponsors who cover the costs of transporting horses, flying trainers, and travelling across the world, often with little or no support.

Should HSI wish to respond to this letter, I would appreciate an explanation addressing the concerns I have outlined.

Your etc,

Brian Cash,

Collooney,

Sligo