Caitriona Murphy
FUNDING has been approved for the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland (WSI), from the Department of Agriculture.
Under the scheme, Dr Thomas Reed’s show jumping-focused studbook has received funding for a number of measures, including more stallion inspections and a rewards scheme for mare owners.
Dr Reed declined to say how much public funding had been received.
The WSI has named the six stallions it will provide free coverings from as part of its newly-launched WSI Rewards Program and WSI Semen Bank.
The stallions are Ai Weiwei m2s, Asian Tiger m2s, Boy Toy m2s, Desir Du Chateau, UFO, and Ulysses m2s.
WSI is offering three packages within its WSI Rewards Scheme; WSI 2 for breeders with two to four mares, WSI for breeders with five to nine mares and WSI 10 for breeders with 10 or more mares. WSI 2 package costs €299, WSI 5 costs €499 and WSI 10 costs €999.
For their chosen fee, breeders will have their mares registered in one of three categories within the WSI; Approved Mare, Studbook Mare or Genetic Development Programme Mare.
They will be given the option of having their mare and foal inspected, which is voluntary but will be useful for breeders who wish to take part in Department of Agriculture-funded equine discussion groups. Under Department rules, breeders must submit their mares for inspection within 12 months of joining a discussion group.
They will have change of ownership and some other administration charges waived, as well as free subscriptions to two equestrian publications.
And the mare owners will have access to free natural covering from the six named stallions, which are valued at between €500 and €1,500. Five of the stallions are based at Dr Thomas Reed’s WSI base in Ogonelloe, Co Clare, while UFO will be based in Claremorris, Co Mayo.
WSI members who access free and/or low-priced services through WSI Rewards must register all their eligible foals with the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Members who access free semen and/or free natural services through the WSI Semen Bank must register the foals produced by the free semen and/or free natural service with the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland in 2017.
Initially a €2,000 penalty had been proposed for breeders who availed of the free coverings but who did not subsequently register the resulting foal with WSI. The flat fee has now been dropped.
A DOA spokesperson said: “The Department administers an Equine Infrastructures grant scheme to support initiatives in the equine industry, including supporting the operation of inspection programmes to enable selective mating and to categorise equines into various classes within a studbook. WSI sought funding for its inspection process for stallions and mares and in this regard met with our requirements for funding under the scheme.
“Payments are made under the scheme strictly on a vouched expenditure basis and applicants with approved projects will in certain circumstances require to provide co-funding.”