IRISH eventers and show jumpers riding in the Nations Cup final and the Longines League of Nations final this weekend were not provided with a team vet by Horse Sport Ireland.

16 Irish event horses travelled to Boekelo in The Netherlands this week for the eventing Nations Cup final for both team and individual duties.

It is understood a written request for a travelling vet was made by both High Performance eventing manager Sam Griffiths and by Eventing Ireland but the request was denied by Horse Sport Ireland who reportedly cited the ongoing examinership process as the reason. The response, it is understood, suggested the Irish riders could avail of the services of another country’s vet at the event if required.

Eventing Ireland chairman Nikki Potterton said he was very disappointed with the decision as taken not to send a vet.

“We felt the event was too important and the risk too great to leave them without the vet so we took the decision to use the lottery funds our members have helped us raise to pay for Marcus Swail to travel to Boekelo.”

Swail, who ordinarily fills the role of team vet for the show jumpers, was available because he was not engaged by Horse Sport Ireland to support the nine horses and five riders representing Ireland at the Longines League of Nations final in Barcelona. Ireland was second at the same event last year and medal hopes were high going into the event.

Response

In response to questions about the lack of veterinary support for both disciplines, HSI said: “Ireland did not qualify as a team for Boekelo, having finished 12th overall in a scenario whereby the top 10 nations qualified automatically.

“Following the decision of two qualified nations not to field teams, Ireland sought and received an opportunity to enter a team. As a result, the horses entered were not originally selected, or budgeted for, as part of a planned team campaign.

“HSI’s High Performance priority for 2026 has been focused on securing Olympic LA2028 qualification at the World Championships in August. HSI resources are being dedicated to that goal and, as a result, veterinary support was not included within the event plan for Boekelo.

“It is not unusual for Irish athletes attending international competitions to access veterinary services locally from another nations’ team vet, where dedicated Irish veterinary support is not provided by HSI.

“Given the hundreds of shows from one-star to five-star level throughout the year, it is not possible nor practical for HSI to provide a vet at every show. In many years previously, HSI did not provide veterinary support for Boekelo.

“Eventing Ireland has decided to engage the veterinary services at Boekelo at its cost.”

HSI declined to answer why no vet was sent to Barcelona with the show jumpers, where the team had qualified and attendance was never in doubt.