IHB in bid to soften funding cutbacks
However, according to IHB chairman Ned O'Flynn, the reductions will be spread across all organisations in an attempt to soften the blow.
"We would not envisage that there would be major cutbacks for any one organisation," he said yesterday. "These will be applied across the board, so as to limit the pain."
Mr O'Flynn confirmed yesterday that the IHB annual budget of €600,000 had been cut by €40,000 for 2003.
More punishing, however, is the ending of its postage grant and the cut in funding for telephone and fax bills, worth approximately €100,000.
The IHB contributes to the coffers of many equine bodies as part of its support for the horse industry. Chief amongst these is the Connemara Pony Society, followed by the SJAI. The approximate figures for the year-ended 2002, according to the IHB, were: Connemara Pony Society: €63,000 (includes €40,000 for mare scheme), SJAI: €57,000, RACE (jockey apprenticeship): €31,744 (assisting farrier costs), Eventing Ireland: €28,000, Dressage Ireland: €17,500, Association of Irish Riding Establishments: €15,117, Irish Pony Society: €2,766, Irish Draught Horse Society: €7,000, Irish Shows Association: €6,625, RDS: €2,000.
Yesterday, Mr O'Flynn said while the cutback were regretful, they were not as harsh as applied to other areas in receipt of State funding.
"While we are losing €40,000, this amounts to just 6%-7% of our annual budget. We were very happy with this, when we compared it to the cuts in other sectors. In the overall context, it is very little," said Mr O'Flynn.
"Also, it was inevitable in time that there was going to be a cut in funding for postage and telephones."
Mr O'Flynn also confirmed that the Government cutback would entail a nominal increase in foal registration and membership fees.
"Unfortunately, we will have to raise the fees for foal registrations from €25 to €30 later this year and membership from €20 to €30 next year.
"I do not consider this expensive by any means, members get good value for money."
THE Department of Sport have deferred announcing the chairman of the implementation group for setting up Horse Sport Ireland. The chairman expected to be former secretary of the Dept of Agriculture Michael Dowling was due to be announced this week, but will not now be officially named until after Easter.
Meanwhile, the Equestrian Federation of Ireland has denied knowledge that it will be backing the implementation group to the tune of €20,000, along with a similar figure from the IHB, Department of Sport and the Department of Agriculture.
A spokesman said no agreement had been reached on any financial support for the group.
TREVOR COYLE goes into the World Cup this weekend in Las Vegas with every chance of doing well. However, his limited knowledge of his top ride Fleur could be his undoing.
The German-based Armagh man took over the ride on the mare a number of months ago. Owned by Beverley Farm Stud in California, she was previously ridden by American Ray Texel, who reputedly lost out to Coyle after failing to qualify for the World Equestrian Games last year.
Coyle made his first and last appearance in the World Cup finals in 1999 at Gothenburg, his sympathetic approach combining with the brilliance of stallion Cruising to earn him silver, after he was pipped by Brazilian supremo Rodrigo Pessoa.
That performance, combined with his recent Western European League consistency that saw him finish 14th, means he cannot be discounted.
The World Cup finals are, as it should be, a supreme test of horse and rider. Coyle will have to be on top form if he is to go one better than in his previous World Cup outing.
THE Show Jumping Association of Ireland (SJAI) this week announced that Kerrygold are to renew their sponsorship of the national grand prix league. The announcement comes as the first leg of the series gets underway in Coilog, Co Kildare, on Sunday, before riders head to Dundalk, Co Louth, on April 27.
The Kerrygold Grand Prix league features 35 days of top class showjumping at venues nationwide culminating in September when the Kerrygold National Champion will be crowned. The deal provides approximately €12,500 in prizemoney.
The league, won last year by Waterford's Francis Connors, is a stepping stone to international selection.
SJAI chairman Charles Hanley described the arrangement as a blend of two quality products, showjumping and Kerrygold.
"It is good for the SJAI and good for riders that Kerrygold have the confidence to support us for another year.
"I am sure they will get the value for money they deserve," he said.
THE Equestrian Federation of Ireland has announced that Debbie Bloomfield is to be its new High Performance Administrator.
Ms Bloomfield will be responsible for the administration of Irish participation in international events for all disciplines affiliated to the EFI.
Born in Devon, England, in 1969, Debbie has been an active equestrian competitor since an early age, beginning with ponies and then moving on to horses, with experience in eventing and hunting.
Debbie worked for Lloyds Bank Plc in England, before taking up a position with the Show Jumping Association of Ireland in Dublin. Prior to joining the EFI, she was employed by the equine nutrition company, Pegasus Ireland Ltd., at Castleknock in Dublin.
LT SHANE CAREY was one of eight to make the jump-off in the grand prix at Monte Carlo last Saturday, but four faults by Killossery saw him finish last of the second-round group, which was topped by Rodrigo Pessoa (Gandini Bianca d'Amaury).
Limerick-born Carey had previously scored a sixth in Friday's speed class at the glamorous Monaco show with the Master Imp gelding Ballycumber.
Denis Lynch and Luigy also had a couple of top-10 finishes, placing fifth in a 1.40m accumulator class on Saturday.
The 12-year-old black stallion also carried him to fourth place on the opening day with a double clear.
SHANE BREEN was in devastating form at the Ballyrafter Spring League Showjumping Championships last weekend, capturing four of the 10 finals.
On Sunday, Cashel-based Shane Breen successfully defended the 1.30m championship with Edward Kelly's Godsend, who last year went on to give him his first grand prix success. He had warmed up by winning the Red Mills 1.10m with his own Miss Amie and the www.irishhorse.ie five-year-old championship on Terry Tracy's Clover Field II. On Saturday, he won the Dungarvan Observer Starters League with Jeremy Cairn's La Wanda Tawanda.
Former Army rider Danielle Quinlivan was in a class of her own in the Cork Tack Room 1.20m class. Having qualified three for the jump-off, the Kanturk rider left it to her last ride, Carol Griffith's Silver Prince to stamp her authority. Taking every turn to perfection, she stood off the second last and took out a stride to the final oxer to win in 30.36 seconds.
Near neighbour Shane Sweetnam produced the goods on favourite Ballyhass to win The Kedrah House Stud four-year-old championship, judged this year by Ken Digby.
Tramore-domiciled Kilkenny man John Brennan won the 1.05m final on his own Nancy Spain and Dearbhaile Byrne, Clonmel, topped the leader board in the Spillane Trailer Services Young Riders Championship with Mighty Barney.
A PRIZEFUND of 1,000 has been put up by Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, for a 148cms C/D pony league.
It will be run at outdoor shows in the Cork/Kerry Region, and the top six ponies that have gained the most points at participating shows will be presented with their winnings, trophies and rosettes at the Cork/Kerry SJAI dinner at the end of the season.
Shows must advertise in the SJAI bulletin that competitions are part of the league.
YVETTE TRUESDALE won four classes at the Dressage Ireland national winter finals at Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre last Sunday.
Truesdale missed out on the corresponding fixture last year when on international duty, but made her presence felt this year. Drawn last to go in the medium final with the Weltmeyer mare Wishfull Thinking, she won the class with a margin of 20 marks to spare over nearest rival Sue Smallman and Oakengrove Ideal, with visiting British judges Sally Lidsey and Heather Harrison giving her the nod.
In the Prix St George final, Truesdale secured victory by a margin of 10 marks over Anne Marie Dunphy and Mercury, with Maureen Dwyer and Jacobi in third spot.
In the Intermediare 1 class, Dunphy and Truesdale received exactly the same marks from Lidsey and Harrison to tie for first place. Just two lined out for the grand prix class, with Truesdale riding her top horse Accolade and winning out by 12 marks over reigning national champion Niall Quirk and Alucolor Atlanta.
