Draft Irish horse breeding policy highlights need for fresh strategies

A DRAFT new breeding policy for the Irish sport horse sector, which is worth €400 million a year to the economy, has been launched.

The policy places particular emphasis on trying to address the decline in Ireland’s standing as a breeder of top-class international show jumpers.

Once again this year there will be no home bred horse on the Irish team for the Aga Khan Trophy at the RDS tomorrow.

The draft policy prepared by Horse Sport Ireland following an extensive consultation process aims to improve the genetics of the Irish sport horse herd.

A recent study conducted by University College Dublin estimated that 20,000 people are employed on a full-time and part-time basis in the sector, which has 53,000 participants.

It has a horse population of 110,000, with a mare herd of 12,000, who produce 9,500 foals each year.

Horse Sport Ireland director of breeding and programmes, Alison Corbally highlighted the need for new breeding strategies.

“While we are the top studbook in the world for breeding eventing horses, we have fallen down the rankings as a breeder of top class show jumpers.

“This year, there are only three Irish bred horses in the top 200. We need to radically change how we do things in order to address this decline,” she said. Horse Sport Ireland will be seeking views from breeders on the new proposals at the Horse Show.

“The key to any new system is to provide as much information to breeders, presented in an easily understood way, to empower them to make informed breeding decisions. This week at the Horse Show is an ideal opportunity to talk to breeders about our plans and seek their views on how they can be improved,” she said.