A STALEMATE has been reached in a conflict between Dressage Ireland and Horse Sport Ireland regarding the 2026 European Youth Championship selection process. The conflict pertains to the existence of a national threshold over and above the FEI minimum entry requirements for the event, which would prevent the formation of a junior team for the event.

Earlier this week, the board of Dressage Ireland wrote to HSI seeking an urgent review of its position.

“The Board of Dressage Ireland understands that three Junior combinations appear to have achieved the FEI qualification requirement for the 2026 European Junior Dressage Championships. Subject to selection, availability and the combinations choosing to travel, this would appear to allow a Junior team to be considered.

“The Board has also noted that there may be an FEI-qualified Children’s combination and has asked that all FEI-qualified youth combinations be properly considered as part of the wider youth dressage pathway.

“The Board recognises the importance of appropriate performance standards for combinations representing Ireland. However, the Board is concerned that the application of an additional national threshold, if applied in a manner that prevents FEI-qualified combinations from being considered, risks cutting off progress rather than increasing standards.”

In a statement, a spokeperson went on: “The Board believes that the possibility of fielding a Junior team at European Championship level is significant for Irish dressage. It is concerned that a decision not to send a team, in circumstances where sufficient FEI-qualified combinations appear to be available, would have an impact beyond the riders immediately affected.”

A response to the letter signed by HSI COO Avalon Everett and HSI High Performance manager Anne Marie Dunphy read: “The FEI qualification standard is an eligibility threshold. HSI’s published criteria represent a performance standard. The existence of the former does not remove the necessity for the latter.

“The FEI criteria establish which combinations may be eligible for consideration. HSI’s additional criteria are designed to ensure that those ultimately selected have demonstrated the level required to compete at contemporary European Championship level. International youth dressage has become increasingly competitive over the past decade. While FEI qualification identifies combinations eligible for consideration, HSI’s responsibility is to determine whether those combinations have demonstrated sufficient performance, consistency and readiness to justify selection to represent Ireland at a European Championship.

“HSI’s role is not simply to facilitate participation, but to select athletes who can compete effectively at the level they will encounter. The consistent application of published standards is fundamental to the integrity, credibility and long-term success of the High Performance programme. Maintaining these standards is not about restricting opportunity or preventing progress.”

Dressage Ireland then countered with a further response: “We remain deeply disappointed that Ireland will not send a Junior team to the Championships. HSI’s response says that the criteria are intended to support progression, readiness and long-term development. Respectfully, the practical result is the opposite. If Ireland has enough FEI-qualified Junior combinations to consider a team, but no team is sent, then progress is not being supported. It is being stopped.”