THE €700m Irish sport horse industry has been neglected by successive governments for years but the need to present a united front in the lobbying case for more funding was consistently echoed throughout Teagasc’s National Equine Conference.

Attended by over 300 people in Lyrath Estate, Co Kilkenny, on Thursday, lively debate was generated by the top line-up of speakers who included international riders and dealers, businessmen, and breeders at all levels.