HORSE Sport Ireland has congratulated 16 equestrian organisations, which have received State funding under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

On May 9th, Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne TD, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, announced over €26m in equipment grants under the SCEP scheme and this included a significant tranche of funding for the equestrian sector.

CEO of Horse Sport Ireland, Denis Duggan said: “17 organisations spread across the country – including Horse Sport Ireland – are benefitting from almost €350,000 in financial support from the Department of Sport under this element of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. This funding will play a significant part in supporting grassroots participation in our equestrian sports.

“Riding clubs, pony clubs and riding establishments are at the heart of our equestrian community and enable thousands of young people in particular to get their introduction to our sports, gaining their early tastes of success in competition and finding the attraction of participating alongside their peers. This is a welcome financial support to the 17 beneficiaries from Pony Clubs, Riding Clubs and HSI affiliates, such as Dressage Ireland and AIRE.”

Horse Sport Ireland will receive just over €55,000 for the purchase of Olympic standard show jumping fences.

The major grant recipients include:

  • Carlow Hunt Pony Club will receive €54,178 for training equipment and a defibrillator.
  • County Meath’s Headfort Riding Club will receive €14,754 towards the purchase of cross-country jumps, trailer and container.
  • Monaghan’s Border Counties Riding Club will receive €9,690 for show jumping jumps.
  • Clewbay Pony Club in Co Mayo will receive €24,480 towards containers, jumps, lighting and a generator.
  • Tipperary’s Golden Grove Riding Club will receive €60,628, while the Golden Vale Pony Club will receive €6,000 towards the purchase of show jumping equipment.
  • Association of Irish Riding Establishment CLG will receive €41,313 for the safety of clients in Riding Centres.
  • Dressage Ireland will receive €15,556 for transport and first aid equipment.
  • Waterford Riding Club will receive €12,843 for dressage equipment.

    • A full list can be found on the HSI website.