MINISTER for Agriculture Michael Creed TD, this week received a copy of the Sport Horse Alliance report ‘Untapped Potential’, which is calling for a government investment of €100 million over the next five years.

The report, which was written by economist Jim Power, suggests the sector, which is currently worth €816 million to the economy but receives less than €4 million, can generate an additional €400 million, create more jobs and double annual export figures.

Chairman of the Sport Horse Alliance, Barry O’Connor and Jim Power had a positive meeting with Minister Creed and junior Minister Andrew Doyle at Agriculture House on Kildare Street in Dublin city centre this week and presented them with a copy of the report.

The group’s focus now turns to lobbying for extra funding in the upcoming Budget 2019.

Speaking to The Irish Field on Friday, O’Connor said: “We are confident that we have delivered and proven our message that the sport horse industry is worthy of an annual investment to create more jobs and more exports.

“We would like to thank both ministers for their interest and actions over the last 24 months. The Sport Horse Alliance is working with TDs around the country for the industry to receive an increase of their current funding, starting with the October Budget.” A Department of Agriculture spokesperson told The Irish Field that they are actively seeking a HSI chairperson, saying: “An active process is currently taking place..with a view to providing a list of candidates to the two relevant ministers in the next few weeks.”