NEWS that a major initiative by Horse Sport Ireland to host the Dublin Indoor Show at the RDS will not go ahead at the famous Ballsbridge grounds in November dealt another hammer blow to the beleagured Irish Sport Horse industry.

The Dublin Indoor Show, intended to be a ‘beacon of light’ for the industry after the most difficult year on record, has left key sponsors Horse Sport Ireland scrambling to find a suitable alternative venue. HSI has put sponsorship and prizes, worth a total of €350,000, on the table for the November event.

The RDS is being called on to review the decision – which was prompted by coronavirus fears – in a few weeks’ time when more will be known about the reality of a second wave or not. It’s understood the RDS Equestrian Committee was split over the decision but pandemic fears prevailed.

Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland, Joe Reynolds commented: “This show was intended as a beacon of light at the end of what has been a most difficult year. Breeders, producers, and competitors need an opportunity to show their horses as they have had a lean year. I thank the staff in the RDS and in Horse Sport Ireland for the work they put in to this project. I’m disappointed that the RDS Equestrian Committee failed to go ahead with the project but HSI will now regroup and discuss the possible options next week.”

Board member of HSI and member of the RDS, Lucinda Creighton, called on the RDS to review this decision over the coming weeks.

“Personally speaking, I’m extremely disappointed at this decision. The industry has undergone massive disruption this year. We all see Grand Prix shows and equestrian events now up and running all over the country. This is the new normal and we have learnt a huge amount about Covid-19 and keeping to the safety rules.

“I see it as possible to run a national show at the end of the year. I think the sponsorship would be available and the industry needs that focus and boost after this horrendous year. A shop window for breeders and producers and professionals is badly needed. Dublin Horse Show is gone, Millstreet Horse Show is gone and having something like this planned for the end of the year is so important.

“This is just massively disappointing, this event would have been going on behind closed doors and possibly with TV rights on board. It’s a great opportunity to showcase equestrian sports at the RDS and I really hope that possibly there is some way to review this decision by the RDS,’’ she added.

RDS statement

A statement from the RDS yesterday (Friday) reads: “Following the cancellation of the 2020 Dublin Horse Show, a proposal for an indoor equestrian show in November 2020 was reviewed by the RDS.

“After detailed consideration, it was decided that the RDS could not proceed with this initiative in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Horse Sport Ireland had generously proposed to part-finance the indoor show and the RDS wished to make an early decision on this initiative so that this funding may potentially be used in some other way.”

HSI statement

A statement from HSI reads: “Horse Sport Ireland had offered to sponsor a significant Dublin Indoor Horse Show in the RDS in November 2020. It was planned that this substantial event would be an attractive Equestrian National Championships, that would provide a focus and sales opportunity for breeders, owners and producers in performance focused disciplines later in the year. In that regard HSI had put forward a comprehensive and generous financial proposal to the RDS.

“This week the RDS Equestrian Committee gave the proposal detailed consideration but felt that the RDS could not proceed with the initiative considering the Covid-19 pandemic and the very adverse effects it is having on the society at this point in time.

“While disappointed that the proposed benefit will not now accrue to stakeholders making their livelihoods in the equestrian sector in the manner HSI had hoped for, we are grateful for the detailed consideration given to the proposal.

“Horse Sport Ireland has alternative scenario planning in place and will further consider these plans within a dynamic Covid-19 situation in the coming weeks in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.”