TALK to any equine business yard in the country, big or small, and they will tell you that commercial rates and insurance remain two of the biggest obstacles to jump before they can open the doors to even one client.

With the creaking Irish economy embarking on a cautious reopening, there was plenty of calls from TDs of every hue on the floor of the Dáil in the most recent debates for financial aid or supportive measures for virtually every sector. Many TDs raised the issues of insurance and commerical rates, advocating waivers for rate-payers amid measures such as low-cost loans and grant schemes.

The equine sector needs all the help and supportive packages it can avail of. A welcome €250m Restart Grant has been set up for small businesses employing less than 50 people with a turnover of less than €5m.

Some of the bigger equestrian businesses are paying €100,000 in commercial rates per year alone. They need all the help they can get in this area so news of a three-month waiver is welcome (see 51) but does it go far enough?

Despite ongoing adverse publicity, the hefty insurance rates continue to pose a significant problem, particularly for small Irish businesses – from equestrian centres to creches and leisure centres. Thankfully, the courts have taken a sterner view on legal claims and damages in recent times. However, the list of equine businesses – particularly the smaller riding centres, trekking centres and livery yards – that have gone to the wall over the years continues to grow. Make sure to avail of applicable schemes now.

Worth almost €1 billion to the Irish economy and supporting 15,000 full-time jobs nationwide, we need every Dáil voice to be fully aware and supportive of the sizeable contribution of our sport horse industry to the Irish economy, to say nothing of our flagship agri-food sector.