From Grassroots to Grand Prix: How a New €60 Levy Risks Pricing Riders Out of FEI Sport

The introduction of Horse Sport Ireland’s new €60 High Performance levy has raised immediate concerns across the Irish sport horse community. While framed as a contribution to national High Performance programmes, the levy adds to an already substantial list of costs for athletes, owners and organisers participating in FEI disciplines. For many, the issue is not the concept of investment in elite pathways, but the practical impact on the people who fund Irish equestrian sport every day.

Across show jumping, eventing, dressage and para dressage, participation relies on private investment. Riders pay for transport, entries, stabling, training, horse care, licences and registrations. Venue operators invest in facilities, staff and infrastructure. Owners fund horses, travel and long-term development. Against that backdrop, the introduction of a mandatory €60 charge on every FEI entry creates a new barrier that many believe will reduce participation rather than strengthen it.

This second article examines the cost issue in detail and asks whether the levy supports or undermines the long-term sustainability of Irish equestrian sport.

The Real Cost of Being an FEI Athlete

Before a rider steps into an FEI arena, several fixed costs are already in place:

• FEI annual athlete licence
• FEI horse registration
• Recognition card fees
• Transport, fuel and accommodation
• Coaching fees
• Vet, farrier and routine management costs
• Entry fees and stabling charges

These expenses are unavoidable and increase every year. For younger riders, amateurs, small yards and semi-professionals, these costs often dictate how many FEI shows they can afford to enter.

Adding a €60 levy to every FEI entry changes that calculation. One rider completing 20 FEI starts in a year faces an additional €1,200. A yard with 10 horses each completing 10 FEI classes faces €6,000. Those numbers matter, particularly when margins are already tight.

This is not an issue of unwillingness to contribute. It is an issue of affordability and access.

International Shows Under Pressure

Organisers of international shows have outlined further concerns. Many international venues in Ireland operate on tight financial models. Prize funds are high, operational costs are significant, and sponsorship landscapes fluctuate. Show organisers rely on strong entries to maintain viability.

Introducing a levy directly on riders risks reducing entry numbers, especially at CSI2* level, where participation is already sensitive to cost. Organisers have already stated publicly that, based on 2025 participation, the levy could add almost €30,000 in extra cost for competitors at a single venue. Those figures raise questions about whether riders will opt out, reduce the number of horses they compete, or prioritise fewer shows.

If entries fall, the sustainability of Irish international fixtures may be at risk. Fewer shows mean fewer opportunities for riders to gain experience, secure rankings, and develop horses within Ireland.

Impact on Younger Riders and Smaller Yards

Ireland’s pathway from grassroots to senior international sport depends on accessible, affordable opportunities. Younger riders, students, and developing athletes often operate with limited budgets. Many rely on short-term jobs, part-time work, or family support to participate in international sport.

For these riders, a €60 charge each time they enter an FEI class is not symbolic. It changes what is financially possible. It may reduce the number of shows they can afford or exclude them entirely from the FEI pathway.

Smaller yards face similar pressures. Unlike major operations with sponsorship and owner support, independent riders must absorb all costs themselves. Additional levies make it harder for these athletes to compete, progress and remain in the system.

An equitable High Performance structure must recognise the financial diversity of its athletes. A broad-based levy risks narrowing the field to only those with significant financial backing.

The Question of Long-Term Participation

Participation at FEI level is the base from which High Performance teams are selected. If fewer athletes can afford to compete internationally, the pool of riders eligible for senior squads will shrink. That is not a hypothetical concern. It is the predictable outcome of increasing costs without corresponding increases in financial support.

Ireland’s strength in sport horse disciplines has always come from a broad and diverse talent base. Riders from different backgrounds contribute to national teams, develop horses and sustain the sport. If participation narrows due to cost, Ireland risks weakening its competitive foundation.

A levy intended to strengthen High Performance programmes may have the opposite effect by reducing the number of athletes who can reach High Performance level in the first place.

A Need for Clear Impact Assessment

No published information currently outlines how the levy was assessed for financial impact on riders, organisers or the wider sport. Without transparent modelling, it is difficult for the community to understand whether alternative funding mechanisms were explored or whether the impact on participation was fully considered.

Several questions now sit at the centre of the discussion:

• Was an equality or affordability analysis completed?
• How will the levy affect youth and development pathways?
• What modelling was done on likely reductions in FEI entries?
• How will show organisers be supported if participation declines?

These questions do not challenge the intention behind the levy. They focus on the practical consequences.

Strengthening High Performance Without Weakening the Base

Ireland needs a strong High Performance programme. That is not in dispute. Riders competing at Nations Cups, championships and Olympic Games require structured support and long-term investment. However, any funding strategy must balance elite needs with the sustainability of the broader sport.

A system that places additional pressure on athletes who are trying to progress is at risk of becoming counterproductive. If the levy reduces participation, limits opportunities, or forces riders to withdraw from FEI sport, it undermines the very pipeline High Performance relies on.

A sustainable model requires consultation, transparency and a balanced understanding of the financial realities athletes face.

A Moment to Reassess

The reaction from riders, owners and organisers demonstrates that the conversation is not going away. Many in the community have expressed a clear willingness to support High Performance structures, but only when funding decisions are fair, transparent and aligned with the long-term health of the sport.

Reassessing the levy does not signal weakness. It signals leadership.
Adjusting the model, engaging with stakeholders, or exploring alternative structures could ensure that investment in elite sport does not come at the cost of participation.

The aim should be simple - strengthen High Performance without weakening the pathways that feed into it.

Equitas will continue to follow developments closely and ensure that the voices of riders, organisers and owners are clearly represented. The future of Irish FEI participation depends on decisions that support growth, fairness and accessibility.