HSI plan shows industry will be ready once sport can resume

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has submitted a 40-page plan to the Government outlining the protocols and procedures it can put in place to allow equestrian activity to be included in the first wave of sports permitted to resume once COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

The Irish sport horse industry has, like many other industries been hugely effected by the Covid-19 pandemic. No shows have taken place over the last six weeks and many future competitions have already been cancelled.

The proposal is aimed at ensuring that the relevant Government authorities have a detailed plan in place from the sector, in order to assist them in making a fully informed decision.

As a non-contact, outdoor sport with social distancing required by riders while mounted by nature, equestrian sport is in a good position to be amongst the first wave of sports permitted to resume. Equestrian sport does not rely on ticket sales from spectators in order to function and events can effectively run behind closed doors with a minimum number of people on site.

In order to deliver succinct proposals to Government, HSI engaged with its Olympic discipline representative bodies – Showjumping Ireland (SJI), Eventing Ireland and Dressage Ireland – and the equestrian venues to understand the readiness to return. This proactive engagement will serve as a platform for all equestrian disciplines to resume when it is permissible to do so.

SJI

Showjumping Ireland (SJI) hopes to see shows return in early June. It proposes that show jumping will recommence on a regional basis and members will only be permitted to compete within their own region or within a 50km radius of their home. This would minimise the travel distances of competitors, and would also reduce the risk/possibility of any community spread. It would allow leagues within each region to be set up for all height categories. Only those who have pre-entered and are on the start list would be permitted to the show and all entries would be on the SJI live system. A virtual course walk is one of many proposals made to ensure the safety of members.

Eventing

Eventing Ireland has proposed the resumption of eventing competitions in two phases. Training events to take place for three to four weeks to allow horses and athletes to get fit and also ensure their safety plan for social distancing and hygiene is effective. If this period is successful, national eventing competitions to resume. This would include two to three events per week on a national basis.

Dressage

Dressage Ireland did not outline a specific timeline on return to competition but it laid out strict guidelines, including pre-entries only, no spectators, two horses maximum per rider and the option for a judge to bring a family member as a scribe.

Protocols

Speaking about the submission, Horse Sport Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy said: “In anticipation of some relaxation in the lockdown controls, we have developed an initial protocol to address the public health threats due to coronavirus that could present at an equestrian venue when training sessions or competitions are taking place. “Our sport is unique given that it is deemed low risk, it’s a non-contact sport, it’s largely outdoor in its activity which does not enjoy large spectatorship, and as a result of that and the mitigation measures which we have outlined in our submission, we would like our sport to be considered as one to trial in the first wave of sports permitted to resume in a limited fashion.

“I have no doubt that when equestrian activity is permitted to resume that the sport horse community will be ambassadors to other sports in the context of vigilance and compliance.”

HSI chair, Joe Reynolds added: “We have put forward robust operating procedures to enable a return to activity for the sport horse sector when it is safe to do so. HSI is one of the few governing bodies with responsibility for both the breeding and sport sectors of our industry and this gives us a unique perspective to present proposals for a resumption of activities in our industry. It is important that the sport horse community unite behind these proposals and speak together with one voice on this topic.”