BREXIT was just one of the many topics that were commented upon in these pages throughout 2017, as were the loss of traditional shows and funding. In fact, a lot of space was devoted to funding – or the lack of it.

“Ambitious plans to transform the €700 million Irish sport horse industry from the grassroots level up, were outlined this week by interim chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, Jim Beecher,” so wrote Irish Horse World editor Isabel Hurley on February 25th.