IN recent weeks, we have seen quite negative fallout for the wider Irish equestrian community as a result of the confusion over whether horse-related activity comes under the umbrella of agriculture or not.

We saw how riding schools, equestrian and racing nationwide are all basically under the gun to pay huge commercial rates to local authorities who are classifying it as non-agricultural. The high bills are enough to put some establishments on the brink of viability or of pushing them over the edge.