HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has allocated €75,170 to 15 sporting affiliates under the Participation Grant for 2025. This funding will be used by HSI affiliates to target increased participation in equestrian sports across various disciplines.

The biggest beneficiary is Para Equestrian Ireland (PEI) who receive €7,050, followed by Irish Pony Society (€6,600), the Irish Quarter Horse Association (€6,600), Polo Ireland (€6,500) and Dressage Ireland (€5,765). Affiliates had to apply for the grant funding.

Since 2020, Horse Sport Ireland has distributed €426,170 to affiliates through the Participation Grant. Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, joined HSI CEO Denis Duggan, Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May, and HSI Chief Operations Officer Avalon Everett for the funding announcement. Representatives from the Irish Pony Club were also present at the event, which took place at the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown.

“Support for grassroots participation is key for the development and safeguarding of all sports including equestrian sports,” said Minister McConalogue. “This is why I am delighted to be in the Sport Ireland Campus for the announcement of Horse Sport Ireland’s Participation Grant.

“Equestrian sport across various disciplines is active right across the country and this scheme will see increased participation, youth development and targeted training,” said Minister McConalogue.

Horse Sport Ireland CEO, Denis Duggan said: “€426,170 has been given to HSI affiliates for the last six years across all the sport horse disciplines for targeted projects to help grow their sport by increasing uptake at a local level.

“Participation at the community level is the cornerstone of the sport horse sector. Without this grassroots engagement and youth development, the sport cannot grow. Over the past number of years, affiliates have implemented really positive programmes using this funding, which have genuinely benefited their specific disciplines and led to improvements in coaching development, female participation initiatives, horse judge training, and much more.”

Speaking in the Sport Ireland Campus, Dr Úna May said: “Investment in grassroots and youth programmes is vital to see Ireland continue to produce quality high performance athletes.

“Participation programmes, such as this one delivered by Horse Sport Ireland, help the sport grow and support the development of the next generation of Irish Olympians. Sport Ireland already provides direct funding to support HSI’s High Performance Programmes, and we’re pleased to see young riders starting out on their journey getting a leg up into the saddle thanks to this Participation Grant.”