Despite some recent boycott rumblings, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has received a good entry for next month’s stallion inspections. A total of 41 colts have been signed up for this sixth running of the event, which gets under way on 25 March at Cavan Equestrian Centre and will continue the following day.

According to figures released this week by HSI, there are 27 entries in the sport horse section. These include one thoroughbred, 15 Irish Sport Horses and 11 foreign-breds.

The Irish Draught entry is also strong, with 14 coming forward. This compares favourably with last year’s numbers.

“We are quite pleased with the turnout and it does seem that the entry has stabilised,” says HSI director of breeding programmes Alison Corbally.

The inspections will again comprise veterinary, movement, conformation (linear profiling) and athleticism. This year, owners could avail of the opportunity of having the veterinary section completed at four designated clinics: Tullraine Clinic, Banbridge; Ned O’Flynn’s Clinic, Oranmore; Tower Equine Hospital, Glanmire; and Troytown Grey Abbey, Kildare.

Those not opting for this service can complete the veterinary on the morning of their inspection at Cavan, where all of the other tests will be completed before a panel of assessors.

The inspections are open to the public and for anyone who has not seen them in action as yet, it is well worth the trip to Cavan, particularly to see how the linear profiling works.

During the recent one-day workshop on linear profiling held at McKee Barracks, we asked the two Dutch assessors whether they thought we should be undertaking stallion inspections here in Ireland. “Why not?” they replied. “In the years ahead, you may come up with star stallions and it will be nice to have their records all the way back to their inspection.

“Also it will be good for your breeders to have homebred sires available when the price of going to some of the top stallions may be very expensive.”