WHAT a difference a week can make - and Christmas week no less.

Finally, an insurance deal for hunting is on the very cusp of getting over the proverbial line which is perhaps the very best Christmas present that many in the Irish sport horse sector could wish for. It certainly will throw a lifeline to many of the hunt packs nationwide and save more than a few dependent hunt jobs in rural Ireland. It could not come at a better time.

Lack of insurance cover has seen some of the best mounted packs in Ireland confined to foot hunting and this week Irish Horse World carries the first of our foot-hunting reports in our hunting pages (see 102-103) - a reflection of the seriousness of the current insurance crux.

Timely word on this crucial issue arrived from the IMFHA and the IMHA as we went to press. Huge work has been done on this by IMFHA chairman David Lalor and insurance expert Stephen O’Connor in particular. Hats off to one and all!

Horse Sport Ireland also just launched its new Membership Club which has been warmly welcomed and will give great peace of mind to many equestrians. The future looks bright!

Happy Christmas and New Year

On behalf of the entire team, staff and contributors, who work on Irish Horse World