Horse Sport Ireland Breeding Sub-Board has done a dramatic U-turn in restoring stallion inspections as part of the long term Irish Sport Horse breeding strategy.

However, while mare inspections will take place as normal this year, the future of this programme remains in limbo. Going forward, all that appears on offer for sport horse mares is a veterinary exam with a local vet, while linear profiling, conformation and movement is an option that may or may not be carried out. Basically the same process applies to Irish Draught mares.

On the strength of a massive fightback from a broad spectrum of Irish Horse Co-Op members, the sub-board reversed its all but incredible pre-Christmas decision to suspend stallion inspections. From the start, we here in Irish Horse have felt this was a negative and regressive move.

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Dates

At last week’s meeting they conceded that the suspended inspections will go ahead this year at Cavan on 19 April and 20 April. The closing date for applications is 29 March. Following on from this year, sport horse stallion inspections will continue with some modifications. Preliminary inspection for veterinary, linear profiling, conformation and movement will take place at four regional designated centres.

Those having a positive result will go forward to perform their athleticism test in conjunction with the national stallion parade at Cavan Equestrian Centre. There will be five classifications of sport horse stallions – Approved, Licensed, Vetted, Not Licensed and Entry.