THE development of a clear performance strategy and the adoption of a performance director were the main recommendations to emerge from Sport Ireland’s ‘Rio Review’ of equestrian sports, published this week.

The 10-page report, which was facilitated by Nancy Chillingworth with an input from Horse Sport Ireland, states that while some of the performance by Irish equestrian athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games were below expectations, there are signs of progression within HSI in terms of the development of a high performance strategy.

Since the writing of the report, both the eventing and show jumping high performance directors have been appointed. However The Irish Field has learned that, despite an increase, the discipline of dressage have failed to secure enough funding for a performance director.

Speaking yesterday, Dressage Ireland chairman Joe Reynolds welcomed the report but said it ultimately falls short of expectations. “Dressage Ireland welcome the Rio report and are grateful for the increase in funding but it falls short of expectation and understanding.

“There was a clear understanding that we would get a performance director. I understand it’s not a deep hole of funding and HSI have to make choices and dressage has lost out, despite being the Cinderella discipline of the Olympics,” Reynolds said.

The report recommends a move to bring dressage and para-dressage closer together and considers a combined performance director between the two. On that idea, Reynolds said: “I have been in contact with para and that is something we are working on, bringing the two closer.”

RIDER SUPPORT

Reynolds added that he strongly agrees with the recommendation of looking at a support system for the riders and total transparency. The report states that riders should be contacted “as soon as possible to explain the current position of their programme to ensure confidence in the continuation of support and provision.”

The Dressage Ireland chairman, who is also the father of dressage rider Judy Reynolds, and attended the Games in Rio, was disappointed with the lack of support in the lead up to the Games.

“The pre-game support (for Judy) was very limited in terms of effort and funding. There is a reference in the report to eventing pre-games camps being a success and we would agree fully. There was no effort to invite Judy to any of those,” Reynolds explained.

He added: “I want to see success for all disciplines, I am committed to success and trying to break down any barriers that effect the delivery of that success. I am being critical with a purpose.”

In terms of team spirit, the report states: “HSI needs to look at a system that supports individual riders in their own support hubs while still fostering a sense of Irish team identity and share objectives.”

International marketing manager at HSI, Elaine Hatton, said that the appointment of rider representatives on the high performance committees should address the issue of team spirit and transparency.

OWNERS’ PROGRAMME

The report also alludes to the current HSI owners’ programme and the need for a more structured engagement with owners in the programme’s vision and development, in order to retain horses for the Irish riders.

“The owners are absolutely the most important people, without them we wouldn’t be going to any Olympics,” Hatton said. “They are foremost in our mind and need to be treated with the highest respect. We are starting at grassroots level with the New Heights Champions Series and recognising them there with small initiatives – we hope to grow their participation in the sport.”

Equestrian high performance funding has remained at €530,000 for 2017, the exact same at last year’s figures. Rowing and sailing have been among the big winners of the review. Their governing bodies have seen increases of €125,000 and €100,000 respectively, after both delivered silver medals last August, while boxing has been slashed by €200,000.

Paralympics Ireland has also seen an increase to €375,000 in funding after its haul of 11 medal in Rio.