HSI examinership 'regrettable' but 'in the best interests of the company', says Minister

Horse Sport Ireland, the governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland, entered examinership on Monday

Horse Sport Ireland is primarily funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Sport Ireland. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, said that he expects studbook services and breeding programmes provided by Horse Sport Ireland will continue through the organisation's examinership process. 

HSI, the governing body for equestrian sport in Ireland, was on Monday given the protection of the High Court with chartered accountant Joseph Walsh appointed interim examiner. Examinership is a court-supervised rescue process for an insolvent but possibly viable company. It protects the company from creditors while an independent examiner attempts to create a survival plan.

In a statement, HSI said the decision to seek examinership "follows the crystallisation of a substantial legacy liability relating to the defence of a longstanding legal action brought by Studbook Development Ireland Limited t/a Warmblood Studbook of Ireland against various defendants, including HSI.

"Having considered all the available options, and taken professional legal and financial advice, the Board believes that examinership provides the best available opportunity to protect the organisation, preserve employment and secure its long-term future.

"Horse Sport Ireland continues to operate, and management will work constructively with the Examiner, employees, funders, creditors and other stakeholders throughout the process."

HSI, which was established in late 2006 and is a private entity, was allocated approximately €6.5m in 2026 by its two principal State funders: the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Sport Ireland. HSI employs 47 people full-time and is based in Naas, Co. Kildare.

“While regrettable, I do understand that the decision by the Board of HSI to seek examinership is in the best interests of the company and the stakeholders they serve," said Minister Heydon.

"In particular, my thoughts are with the staff of HSI amid the uncertainty that this process may bring. I expect that the studbook services and breeding programmes which HSI deliver will continue to run smoothly during this process.” 

A Department spokesperson said the Minister "has been informed by the Board of HSI that it will request the Examiner to prioritise continuation of the services to stakeholders which HSI carries out under contract on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine".