THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Michael Creed has cautioned against expectations of increased funding for the sport horse sector in the October Budget.

Speaking to The Irish Field at Charleville Show, the Minister also stated that he would prefer to see Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) divest itself of studbook administration, to which he added they are committed to doing, provided the changeover was “done in an appropriate way that best serves the industry.”

The Minister’s comments were made against the backdrop of the new Horse Sport Ireland Industry Economic Forum 2020 Budget Campaign launch and the upcoming renewal of the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught studbook licences.

The Forum campaign, an alliance between Horse Sport Ireland and industry representatives, spearheaded by Barry O’Connor of the Sport Horse Alliance, was launched last week and as outlined in The Irish Field, the lobby group intends to seek an increase of €5 million for the sport horse industry in next year’s budget, which would effectively double Government funding for equestrian sport.

However, Creed was guarded about the prospect of an increased allocation by his Department, saying: “I think it’s great that people have that ambition for the sector and I only wish I had all the money necessary to meet the ambition, whether its sport horses, thoroughbreds, harness racing.

“They’re all competing for funding and unfortunately, in the context of the Budget in October, in probably the most challenging year, because on one hand every economist worth his salt is telling us the economy is overheating, that we need to take money out of the economy, and on the other hand, we face the Brexit challenge, which could require substantial Exchequer funding into supporting exposed sectors in the UK market.

“It’s a very challenging budget, running flat out to stand still would be an achievement. I don’t want to throw cold water on ambition, in fact I encourage ambition, but it’s a very challenging budgetary scenario for the October Budget.”

He also acknowledged that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are another funding source for the sport horse sector. “We compete on the international stage and Irish riders bring great honour and distinction to us. There isn’t a weekend that I don’t read in the paper, on social media or hear on the news about another equestrian team performing heroics at some international event. That’s all born out of places like this [Charleville] ultimately.”

Studbook license

On the studbook license issue, Creed would like to see Horse Sport Ireland, which currently holds both licences, move away from this role.

“As your readers will be aware, the Indecon Report did recommend that Horse Sport Ireland divest themselves of the studbook and I’ve met with Horse Sport Ireland and that’s something they are committed to.

“It’s the ‘how to’ and to make sure that when it’s done, that it functions effectively thereafter and that’s the challenge. I’d like to see it done as quickly as possible [HSI divesting themselves of the studbook], Indecon clearly outlined that as the preferred route.”

He praised HSI for the speed at which the governing body had streamlined itself following the publication of the Indecon Report in June 2017, but added that the studbook licence matter was “maybe not as far advanced as they and I would like them to be on this issue.

“We’ve always said that funding would follow the implementation of Indecon, this is the big issue ahead of them. I’ve met them recently and in fairness, I’m impressed by their dedication and commitment.”

The Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught studbook licenses are issued by the DAFM on a three-year basis with HSI holding both since 1 July, 2016.

However, a spokesperson from the DAFM Press Office confirmed on Friday that the studbook licence approvals have been extended to the end of this year.

“I think we need to make sure that we do it [studbook licences] in an appropriate way that best serves the needs of the industry,” added Creed.