WITH just two weeks to go to polling day, every registered voter in the €816 million Irish sport horse industry is being urged to lobby political candidates, on the doorsteps and online, to commit to increased Central Exchequer funding.

A concerted campaign is under way in constituencies to put the issue of more industry funding front and centre before the rainbow of candidates and every industry stakeholder is being asked to join in the national lobby.

Ballina sport horse producer, Tiernan Gill, says the industry must be unified: “From speaking before to some TDs, the problem was people in eventing were on their own, show jumpers were on their own, and so on; we weren’t coming together as one voice. We weren’t strong and unified together. That was the problem.”

“99.9% of the TDs or candidates wouldn’t have a notion what the Irish sport horse industry means to the economy. We need far more public relations for equestrianism - we are seriously at the top of the game and yet no one knows. The person on the street hasn’t a clue of all the good work being done.

“If an Irish golfer doesn’t make the cut like last weekend, it is front page news. Yet there are show jumpers winning all over the world and they maybe get a little bit on the back pages. Until that is highlighted, we are at nothing. That is the number one priority for me,” said the Co Mayo businessman.

Cork course designer James Tarrant added: “More funding will result in greater investment in our sector, leading to more jobs and, in turn, more spin-off back to the Exchequer. We are not looking for charity or hand-outs, there is no begging bowl out here.

“There is no excuse for any politician or candidate not knowing about our industry, which has a very positive ‘good news’ story to tell. Investment now will lead to great increased returns for the Central Exchequer.

“The importance of horses - economically, socially and therapeutically - to the fabric of Irish society cannot be underestimated. This is all about rural Ireland and enhancing rural Ireland to the benefit of the whole country,” said Tarrant.

Minority intrest

Breeder Michael Slattery of Clarecastle Show said: “Politicians are coming to my door and I discuss with them the need to support the Irish sport horse industry. My own experience with TDs and Senators is that some of them are not au fait with what is going on in our industry. It is very much a minority interest and others don’t grasp it at all.

“We, as voters, have to make them aware of this hidden interest which is a vital link to rural Ireland and will continue to be so. For the €815 million of economic activity our sport horse industry generates, we get only a tiny €4 million fraction back in public funding. Yet it accounts for 14,500 full-time jobs, so that does not make sense. We are thrilled to bits with the achievements and the pride we have in the Irish racing industry and, in turn, the sport horse industry needs a more level playing field.

“If we received around €10 million in public funding a year for the next five years it would create a revolution in the Irish sport industry. Rural Ireland is in decline and this will help. Breeding more good horses will do something positive for rural Ireland. Don’t forget that horses support a wide span of jobs from breeders, producers, riders, farriers, vets, feed and transport companies,” added Slattery.

Untapped potential

Chair of the Horse Sport Ireland Industry Economic Forum, Malahide agent and coach Barry O’Connor, said: “With this political campaign, we are trying to make our positive industry part of the national conversation, help identify our sector and release the untapped potential for the good of all.

“The better we do, the better the country does from increased investment in our sector. We are not taking money off the homeless or the hospitals. The money we are talking about is already generated from our industry, we are looking for our fair and equitable return on our tax take.

“Two economists have both said that our industry turnover would go up by between 50-80% within five to eight years with increased public funding. It would lead to more investment in facilities, close the gap between breeders and producers. Nobody, from Dingle to Derry, will disagree with that.

“Along with Horse Sport Ireland, we have worked hard behind the scenes to have this conversation and visits with TDs and Senators. As an industry, we are rural Ireland’s best kept secret.

“When candidates come looking for votes, I urge people to spell out where their interests lie and get them to quote what they will do for our sector. We have to start thinking collectively and have a global outlook,” said O’Connor.

Irish sport horse industry in numbers