IT appears the sport horse community were as surprised as we were to hear of the new Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) levy of €60 per FEI event entry coming into effect today Wednesday, December 3rd. The new levy has been met with outrage, with industry heavyweights labelling the move a “money grab”, “a kick in the guts” and “crippling”.
We have calculated that the levy could create a revenue stream well in excess of €300,000 per year based on the number of past Irish FEI entries.
That figure could reduce significantly however if this new charge is the straw that breaks the piggy bank's back for riders hoping to compete at international events.
The thought of a downturn in entries as a result of this levy is extremely worrying because it would mean our sport's governing body may have introduced a charge that reduces participation, something totally at odds with its mission.
For clarity, HSI's mission is 'to lead the equestrian sector and enable it to fulfil its potential' and its vision is 'to have the best riders and horses in the world of equestrian sports'.
I wonder is HSI so desperate for a new revenue stream that it is willing to sacrifice Irish participation in high level sport? And would it still have a mandate as a governing body if this comes to pass?
In the days leading up to our story about the levy and in the days since, we have spoken to riders, owners, administrators and event organisers and the universal reaction was fear and anger. They fear what this will do to riders, to events, to the grassroots of the sport. They are angry because they feel ignored, unheard and misunderstood.
One rider said that it feels like the federation is working against its own athletes while another said that instead of protecting the future of the sport, this levy will just make it harder for someone to break through to international level.
As we all know, keeping a horse is an extraordinarily expensive undertaking without ever leaving the yard. It is a privilege, I acknowledge, and also a responsibility. For those who manage to get to the point of competing internationally, the cost is astronomical and funding this is invariably down to turning a passion into a business, one that involves copious blood, sweat and tears as well as the added dynamic of owners and sponsors - not to mention large sensitive animals that find ever more creative ways to hurt themselves.
Continual price hikes from our national governing body - be it this levy, passport costs, or the hefty charges on top of FEI fees - are starting to feel like punishment for the privilege of horse ownership rather than encouragement to represent our country on the international stage.
Owners, the financial backers of the equine athletes in our system, have already expressed their contempt at the lack of support coming their way. They are sick of the 'pay up and shut up' attitude they perceive from HSI. Their words have fallen on deaf ears it seems.
Rather than announce any form of detailed support for High Performance, HSI has announced another cost.
No-one would or could argue that High Performance sport needs funding, but with €900,000 from Sport Ireland in 2025 and an increase expected in 2026, should the riders really be the ones footing the bill? And why have we no sponsors or commercial partnerships for Team Ireland Equestrian?
I believe HSI have made a mis-step here. Not because the funds aren’t needed but because it will be seen as a fine on the future of our sport.