Tipperary clubs benefit from state funding for equestrian organisations

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), the national governing body for equestrian sports, has congratulated 16 equestrian organisations that have received state funding under the latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).

The grant recipients include two Tipperary clubs - the Golden Grove Riding Club, based in Roscrea Equestrian Centre, which has received €60,628 for equestrian equipment; and the Golden Vale Pony Club, Killough, Horse and Jockey, a branch of the Irish Pony Club, which has received €6,000 for the purchase of showjumping equipment.

On May 9, Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; and Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, announced over €26 million in equipment grants under the SCEP scheme and this included a significant tranche of funding for the equestrian sector. 

CEO of Horse Sport Ireland, Denis Duggan said: “Seventeen organisations spread across the country – including Horse Sport Ireland - are benefiting from almost €350,000 in financial support from the Department of Sport under this element of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.

"This funding will play a significant part in supporting grassroots participation in our equestrian sports. Riding clubs, pony clubs and riding establishments are at the heart of our equestrian community and enable thousands of young people in particular to get their introduction to our sports, gaining their early tastes of success in competition and finding the attraction of participating alongside their peers.

"This is a welcome financial support to the 17 beneficiaries from pony clubs, riding clubs and HSI affiliates such as Dressage Ireland and AIRE – Association of Irish Riding Establishments”.

Horse Sport Ireland will receive just over €55,000 for the purchase of Olympic standard show jumping fences.

“These new fences will enable HSI to provide training using Olympic-standard fences to our youth, pathway, and high-performance athletes on their journey to this and future Olympics,” stated Mr Duggan.

Horse Sport Ireland formally acknowledges the commitment from Minister Martin and Minister Byrne and the officials within the Department of Sport, and wishes each of the 16 organisations continued success.