Disastrous, mindboggling, heartbreaking – these are just some of the terms applied to Britain’s impending exit from the EU at the recent RDS Brexit Forum on the Irish Sport Horse Industry.

David Carson of Deloitte, Dr. Alan Fahey of UCD, John Melville of the Department of Agriculture and RTE’s Tom McGurk did their best to outline the implications of this British conundrum. They agreed that the outcome had to be seen as potentially hugely negative. The consensus among both the speakers and those attending was that we must prepare and cannot just wait for it to happen. A united front within the Irish horse industry, both Thoroughbred and sport horse was called for.

Show jumper, breeder and horse transporter Clement McMahon noted to The Irish Horse: “The organisations have to join up and get on with a plan.” RDS President Bernie Brennan said “this is the start of the conversation. The RDS is willing to play its part in galvanising the industry in order to prepare.”

A task force similar to that created within the Deloitte industry appeared to be the way forward. Lurgan native Hugh McCusker agreed that it is indeed a good idea but he added: “If there is to be a task force then it should also include representation from Northern Ireland.” RDS Arena Director Leonard Cave was of the same opinion that negotiations on Brexit have to have a north/south dimension. “After all we in the north did vote against Brexit,” he said.

European show jumping Championships under way

Seventeen teams will line out for the 2017 Longines FEI European Championships, which are already under way at Gothenburg.

Team manager, Rodrigo Pessoa’s selection for Ireland includes Bertram Allen (Hector van d’Abdijhoeve); Denis Lynch (All Star 5); Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z); Cian O’Connor (Good Luck) with Mark McAuley(Miebello) in reserve.

Speaking after Monday’s trot-up, where all Irish horses were passed fit, Rodrigo Pessoa was looking forward to the week ahead, “All five horses look in really great shape. We have a very experienced group of riders and we are confident we can do well.” Pessoa made these championships the main focus for the season when he took up the job in March, he held back some of his fire-power for this event and will be hoping that his decision will be rewarded with a medal.

The 10 teams with the best scores following the first two rounds of jumping, go forward to Friday’s final round of the team competition, after which the team medals will be awarded.