Beecher: Stallion and mare scheme in need of overhaul
He outlined his opinion yesterday after announcing at the AGM of the IHB in Cavan on Tuesday that there would be no stallion inspections next Spring, while a consultation process takes place addressing the merits of the inspection and classification system.
“We are examining the role inspections play. We have an open mind. We see the need for some changes, but we don’t know what they are, which is why we are consulting with people,” said Mr Beecher, who is also chairman of the Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) breeding sub-board.
He rejected that the ending of inspections would represent one of biggest policy changes ever by HSI/IHB.
“That’s a dramatic statement. You have to take everything in context. The role of inspection now compared to 10 or 20 years ago is very different, when you consider the availability of semen from around the world to breeders and the availability of horses from around the world.”
Mr Beecher also said any suggestion that the review represented an acknowledgement that the inspection regime had failed was “not true”.
“It was the cornerstone, but the industry has changed so much we need to see what its role will be in the future. We need to adapt to the needs of our breeders.
“The fear would be that there would be a drop in quality in the herd, but breeders do their own thing anyway.
“Other mechanisms could better serve us, such as the availability of performance data from around the world. We have to be performance driven.”
While Irish eventers are dominant in the world studbook rankings, the Irish Sport Horse studbook has fallen to 13th in the world show jumping rankings. Mr Beecher agreed that inspections had not halted the slide.
“Obviously, inspections are not the way in terms of breeding the best show jumpers. They will give you basic confirmation, but at the end of the day, you need a stallion and mare with proven performance.”
Mr Beecher said market forces were forcing a reconsideration of the merits of inspections and classification; he said it was all about facing up to the fact that breeders are focusing more on a stallions’ ability to produce offspring that succeed in the competition arena, plus generate a good return.
However, he rejected that HSI’s main aim in considering the ending of inspections was to save money.
“Money would not be the motivating factor. There is a cost, of course, somewhere around €100k, but this money could be better spent elsewhere. It would also free up personnel.”
The bottom line, for Mr Beecher, is that breeding has evolved and become more pan-Continental.
“We are entering an era, where we are going for a European studbook, where the difference between different studbooks is blurred. You’ll find the traditional studbooks are changing. You look at the Irish sport horse, and you will find many of them have warmblood in them. The idea of protecting a specific type, well, we have gone beyond that.
“I suppose this [the review of inspections/classification] will get attention and be controversial, but breeders make up their own mind, taking into account many factors, one of which would be whether the stallion is approved.
"Ultimately, though, they are commercially driven, they have to be and the more information they have the better.”
In a statement to the AGM on Tuesday, Mr Beecher said HSI would “advertise for submissions soon as possible, and we will consider these carefully before making any decisions”.
The proposal is also to be discussed with the Northern Irish Horse Board (NIHB).
While stallion inspections in general, will not take place next spring, provision will be made for individual stallion owners wishing to have their stallion inspected for Approved/Class 1 status for the 2016 breeding season.
Mr Beecher also told the meeting that, “depending on the outcome of the consultation, there may be stallion inspections in Autumn 2016”.
Bertram Allen is among six contenders for the 2015 Longines Rising Star Award.
The 20-year-old has won over 20 international classes, came third in his World Cup final debut after winning the opening round and is now ranked seventh in the world.
He is up against Spanish dressage rider Juan Matute Jr, American endurance rider Kelsey Russell, British dressage rider Phoebe Peters, British show jumper Jessica Mendoza, and Germany reining rider Gina Schmucher.
The shortlist was determined by public nomination and the winners will be announced on November 13 at a ceremony in Puerto Rico.
Allen, meanwhile, makes his second foray into World Cup territory this weekend, when he travels to Verona, Italy.
The 20-year-old will be hoping to improve on his season opener in Lyon, France, last Sunday, when he placed 11th after a single error in round one with Molly Malone V. It was enough, though, to earn him six points to slot him into 27th in the Western European League.
Molly is rested this weekend, with Allen saddling up Belmonde, Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve and Romanov.
Cameron Hanley has the talent in Antello Z to give it a shot, too, and also has Cashgirl 5 and Z Acodate DDL to possibly supplement his earnings.
Fantastic prizes are promised at next Sunday’s Templemartin Hunter Trials, Co Cork.
The schedule includes training and novice classes for ponies, horses and pairs, along with the Open contest, with the Joe McLaughlin Cup on offer to the winner.
Competition begins at 10.30am.
Enquiries: 087-6350283
