HORSE Sport Ireland announced substantial fees increase for Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught horse breeders during Christmas week. Defended as the first increase for 17 years, the new HSI pricing structure is over 60% more, on average, than comparable fees charged by their biggest competitor, Leisure Horse Ireland. This decision was made by HSI without any consultation with its own Breeding and Production Advisory Council (BPAC).

Higher fees for Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught breeders will lead to an increase in the number of horses registered without pedigree as 'white books' are now considerably cheaper. A certain amount of pedigree information will therefore be lost for genetic evaluation and for breed improvements of Irish-bred horses.

We're now throwing open this debate to the wider floor with our online forum and would welcome your views.