Horse Sport Ireland have engaged with Sport Ireland following the announcement by An Taoiseach last night in relation to updated public health measures which are now in place.

The previous restrictions announced for Kildare, Laois and Offaly continue to remain in place and will be reviewed later this week. 

New measures and restrictions have been announced by Government in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 following a recent spike in cases in the Republic.

Horse Sport Ireland are advised that the following are the key measures announced in relation to sport.

Updated Public Health Measures – Sport
Sport facilities/venues can remain open.

Competition

• Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors. Equestrian events should continue to observe strict adherence to the Equestrian Sport Ready and Affiliate Protocols, as issued.
• Equestrian events can operate on the strict proviso that social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. In the context of equestrian events, this includes formal hospitality offerings at, or during events. Furthermore, the number restriction of 15 people does not apply to competitions/events.
• In line with FEI recommendations for Equestrian Sport, Horse Sport Ireland are requesting all participants to wear face coverings/masks while attending events. This is for individual safety and that of others.

Training

• Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups. In the context of equestrian, this is applicable to non-competition recreational type activity and training. The limitation of 15 people, extends to groups congregating for a defined period of time. Sport Ireland will provide further clarification on whether multiple pods of 15 people can operate in these scenarios especially in large, outdoor venues. This will be provided in due course.

It is important to note that regardless of the setting – be it competition or training, Horse Sport Ireland asks that all stakeholders, affiliates and those responsible for venues and activities to ensure a rigorous application at all times of the public health regulations.  We appreciate this is can be challenging, but public health is paramount.  Equestrian Sport has been recognised as an activity that is permitted to continue and the onus is on all Stakeholders to ensure that remains the case, both for our sport and for the Sport Horse Industry in Ireland. Horse Sport Ireland would like to extend our thanks to all for their hard work, effort and cooperation in these unprecedented circumstances.