THE unequal treatment meted out to equestrian sports, halted under Level 5 restrictions in the Republic, continues to be a central lobbying plank between Horse Sport Ireland and the Government this week.

Harness racing, an affiliate of Horse Sport Ireland – not Horse Racing Ireland – has thankfully been allowed go ahead since the start of the Level 5 lockdown, as have the country’s point-to-points, hosted by the various Hunt Clubs.

However, meanwhile, all equestrian sport, hunting, and even competition for Ireland’s Olympic riders, continues to be at a complete standstill. Training is allowed for elite Olympic athletes but not competition, unlike other nations with just months to go before the Tokyo Olympics. For the first time ever, Ireland has qualified three teams for the Games, in dressage, show jumping and eventing. School-aged children are allowed to continue.

Intolerable situation

HSI Acting CEO Joe Reynolds said yesterday (Friday): “We currently have an intolerable situation where some activity connected with HSI affiliates, such as harness racing are quite correctly being allowed to continue to operate while some of our other HSI affiliates, including our Olympic disciplines who are trying to prepare for Tokyo, are completely halted.

“There is a quite simple solution to this situation and no new rules and regulations need to be drawn up. We have put forward what we feel are workable proposals which address the serious equine welfare and sport horse production concerns that are mounting at present.

“We have demonstrated throughout Level 3 and 4 that sport horse activity is incredibility low risk. For example, Cavan Equestrian operated a significant HSI Development Autumn Series and ISH Studbook Final weekend on 20th and 21st of October during Level 4 restrictions. The event was rigorously managed and all competitors operated in a safe and controlled environment with no reports of Covid-19 subsequent to the event.

“This is further supported by the recent study by the CONI (Italian Ministry of Sport and the Italian Committee) with the University of Turin who calculated the ‘possibility of spreading Covid-19’ for each sport. Equestrian was denoted as 0-risk level. Thus further supporting the epidemiological evidence for our industry to continue.

“Our equestrian disciplines can operate in a safe and responsible manner behind closed doors. Horse racing, point-to-points and harness racing have proven that they can also operate in a safe manner during Levels 3 and 4 and have now proven that they can do likewise during Level 5 restrictions. We are asking for a level playing field for all within the industry. We cannot have a situation where the equine welfare of an animal is dependent on which sport that animal may or may not be competing in.

“We are very thankful to the officials in the Government Departments who have been working with us and have taken on board our concerns and we remain hopeful that those making the decisions at the highest Ministerial level in Government will take the necessary actions that are urgently needed,” concluded Reynolds.

Seeking urgent meeting

Earlier this week, Horse Sport Ireland released a statement in which the Naas-based organisation called for an urgent meeting to present their case before the Joint Oireachtas Agriculture Committee. There was no update on that possible meeting by time of going to press yesterday.