HORSE Sport Ireland says it has been engaging with Government since the outbreak of the war in the Middle East in relation to the impact that rising fuel prices are having on the sport horse sector and on equestrian sport. A HSI spokesperson said: “Since oil prices have increased sharply, Horse Sport Ireland has been expressing the serious concerns of those in the sector to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Simon Harris TD; the Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon TD; and to Department officials.

“We highlighted that, by its very nature, the sport horse sector requires vehicles and machinery that consume significant volumes of fuel. The movement of horses, both domestically and internationally, for competition and for sale is fundamental to the viability of businesses and individuals across the industry.