THE Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE) has received an Insurance Grant, to assist centres pay their 2022 premiums. The funding from Sport Ireland has been allocated through Horse Sport Ireland.

The news will come as a boost to struggling AIRE riding centres, faced with rising insurance premiums amid soaring input costs and staff shortages.

AIRE has also received an Educational Fund for staff in Approved Riding Centres to upskill teaching qualifications. There is a shortage of qualified instructors/trekking leaders in the industry, so it is hoped that this fund will help to ease the situation. AIRE can now cover the cost of BHS assessments retrospectively when the correct paperwork is submitted by an Approved Riding Centre. First Aid and Manual Handling courses will be covered for members and named staff. (See www.aire.ie for details, T&Cs).

To submit a claim for the cost of a BHS exam, AIRE Approved Centres should forward the payment receipt from the BHS together with the successful certificate, or assessment sheet should a candidate fail the exam. If the devolved method is used for Ride Safe Award or Stage 1 exams, an invoice from the host centre naming the participant is acceptable.

Trekking Centres may use this initiative to train as Ride Leaders/Centre Managers and extra dates will be arranged as required.

AIRE members may update Health & Safety policies and AIRE will pay up to the maximum amount of €400 towards the fee.

Horse Sport Ireland Coaching & Therapeutic Riding Courses will be partly covered with detailed receipts together with certificate of attendance. Meanwhile, First Aid Responder & Manual Handling courses will also be covered for members and staff with similar conditions.

(More information on www.AIRE.ie)