HORSE Sport Ireland is facing a series of resignations from its board, forums and a committee over governance concerns.

On Wednesday, HSI acknowledged the resignation of equestrian entrepreneur and world-class horse owner Barry O’Connor as riders’ representative on the Senior Jumping High Performance Advisory Group. Then, on Friday, it was confirmed to The Irish Field that former Irish Olympic show jumper Jack Doyle, also a member of that group, had resigned.

Also on Wednesday, The Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) announced it was withdrawing its representation within HSI effective immediately. The IEVA had a representative on three of HSI’s four industry forums, from which four board members are drawn. The IEVA board member, until this week, was Dr Siobhan McAuliffe.

“This decision follows ongoing governance concerns that have made continued representation untenable at this time,” the IEVA statement read. “While regretting the need to take this step, the Irish Equine Veterinary Association remains committed to constructive engagement across the sector and is open to future collaboration with Horse Sport Ireland.”

The news of the resignations follows the recent appointment to the board of Dr Robert Huey (FRCVS), which was covered in these pages last week. There is no suggestion the resignations and this appointment are linked.

‘Piecemeal stuff’

Mr O’Connor has ‘been openly critical of HSI’s High Performance programme in the past and was equally so this week when speaking to The Irish Field.

“As someone that works in the industry, the direction of our industry really worries me.” he said. “If you take a worldwide view of things, we have so much potential, we are excellent at what we do, and yet we’re stuck - stuck for any type of constructive leadership and constructive knowledge of how to do this. There is absolutely pathetic levels of funding for High Performance, it’s piecemeal stuff.

“The departments (of Sport and Agriculture) and HSI seem to view us as sort of a hobby persuasion or a wealthy man’s game, when nothing could be further from the truth. This industry is a battlefield, a lifestyle that is incredibly hard for riders, breeders and owners, with crippling margins. But they do not give us the professional courtesy they give other sectors of the industry. All we are getting is bureaucracy and higher charges.

“From the first meeting, we (the advisory group) were told that we had no say, and that’s very disappointing. For the record, I support Jessica Kurten (show jumping High Performance Manager), I supported Michael Blake (her predecessor), but to help the riders win medals, we need funding and support structures. It was like being at an amateur club making suggestions.

“The costs of the administration, the coverage they get, the basic kit they get, it’s all sort of last minute.com.

“We’re very, very passionate about what we do and it takes an awful amount of determination to do it, but when you see people trying to make a change and it doesn’t happen, it’s very, very frustrating.

“I love the sport and the job and I give my time to many projects, not for any ego or reward, but in the end I felt like in this circumstance, I wasn’t producing... this was a waste of time.”

Turbulence

The resignations bring echoes of a previous raft of resignations at HSI. In November 2022, after a turbulent week where seven of its eight directors resigned, a new board of four ministerial appointees was rolled into place by the then Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue TD (FF).

In its statement on Mr O’Connor’s resignation, HSI said: “We thank him for his time and engagement in supporting the development of the programme. Following his decision to step down, a process will commence over the coming months to appoint a replacement. HSI remains committed to ongoing engagement with athletes as a key stakeholder group in the continued development of high-performance structures”.

In a statement regarding the IEVA resignations, HSI said: “HSI acknowledges receipt of correspondence from IEVA indicating its decision to withdraw its current representation. HSI operates in full compliance with recognised governance standards. The organisation remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and good governance across all its activities. HSI has made contact with the IEVA to seek a better understanding of the basis for this decision.”

A DAFM spokesperson confirmed Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon TD was aware of the resignations. “Any disruption to, or distraction from, the important work of the Board of the HSI is regrettable,” said. While the department would not comment on the status of HSI CEO Denis Duggan’s contract, which is coming to an end, A well-placed industry source told The Irish Field that the position of CEO will be advertised later this year and that Mr Duggan will be eligible to reapply for the role.