Sport Horse population needs infusion of new blood

WHETHER it was by design, or co-incidental, one major theme emerged at last Tuesday’s National Equine Conference: The need for more thoroughbred blood in the sport horse population.

Another constant was the critical importance of the brood mare stock to improving the standing of Irish horses.

The conference organised by Teagasc and held in its Moorepark facility in Fermoy, Co Cork, was a sell-out. Attendees heard presentations from a diverse group, including show jumper Edward Doyle, British eventer Ollie Townend, Dutch stud owner Wiebe Yde van de Lageweg, Ireland show jumping team manager Robert Splaine and Teagasc’s Wendy Conlon, Norman Storey and Declan McArdle.