The €60 Question: Who Decides How Irish Equestrian Sport Is Funded?
The introduction of Horse Sport Ireland’s new €60 High Performance levy has triggered significant debate across the sport horse sector. While cost is the most visible point of concern, a deeper issue has emerged beneath the surface: governance. Riders, owners, organisers and coaches are now asking a simple but important question - how was this decision made, and who was consulted before it was introduced?
For a levy that affects every Irish athlete entering an FEI class internationally, the expectation across the industry was that any structural financial change would follow an open, transparent and well-communicated process. Instead, the levy seemd to be announced suddenly, implemented within days, and applied to all FEI entries via the new Horse Source system without prior engagement with many of the people it directly affects.
This is not an argument about whether High Performance programmes deserve funding. They do. It is a discussion about process, accountability and the responsibilities of a national governing body to the people it serves.
A System Change with Limited Consultation
The rollout of Horse Source was presented as a technological upgrade to improve efficiency and streamline entries. Many athletes welcomed the concept. However, transparency issues appeared when the platform’s mandatory €60 levy per entry became public.
Riders and organisers across multiple disciplines have stated that they were not aware such a charge was being considered. Several organisers have expressed concern that their venues were not consulted, even though the levy directly affects participation, cost-planning and the long-term viability of international shows.
For a governing body, consultation is not an optional courtesy - it is part of responsible decision-making. When policy decisions introduce new financial pressures, the requirement for engagement increases, not decreases.
What Governance Should Look Like
Within national sport governance, decisions with material impact on athletes and stakeholders typically include:
- A clear proposal
- Stakeholder engagement
- Impact assessment
- Board approval
- Transparent communication
- An implementation timeline
The absence of these steps has raised questions. Riders want clarity on whether the levy was presented to the Board, how it was voted on, what financial modelling supported the decision, and whether any alternative funding mechanisms were considered.
None of these questions challenge the legitimacy of High Performance funding. They challenge the process used to impose a national financial obligation on all FEI athletes under the HSI umbrella.
Where the Levy Sits in the Bigger Funding Picture
Irish High Performance sport already receives substantial public investment through Sport Ireland. This support is welcomed and valued across the equestrian community. However, when a new charge is introduced - particularly one projected to generate hundreds of thousands of euro annually - stakeholders expect clarity on why the existing funding model is no longer sufficient.
Key questions now being asked include:
- Why is additional revenue required?
- How will this levy be ring-fenced and reported?
- What proportion will go directly to athlete support versus administrative cost?
- How will transparency be maintained over time?
Governance is not solely about making decisions. It is about showing how and why those decisions were made.
The Issue of Timing and Immediate Impact
The levy’s introduction date - just days after its public announcement - has added pressure for athletes and organisers who are already budgeting for the 2026 season. FEI sport is costly, with riders responsible for horse registrations, licences, transport, entries, staffing and ongoing maintenance costs. Sudden charges, even if justified in purpose, can destabilise planning and participation.
Organisers are also facing uncertainty. Without consultation, they cannot prepare for the financial implications on their own shows, nor can they communicate accurately with their international networks.
A well-governed system avoids sudden, last-minute changes that impact multiple layers of the sport.
The Foundation of Rider Trust
Trust is built when decisions are communicated clearly, openly and early. It is also built when governing bodies actively seek feedback from those who will carry the outcomes of those decisions.
Right now, riders and organisers are seeking:
- A transparent explanation of the levy
- Publication of the decision-making process
- Details of any consultation that took place
- Insight into how the levy aligns with national strategy
- Assurance of ring-fenced financial reporting
These are reasonable expectations within any sport, especially one that relies so heavily on personal financial investment from its participants.
A Call for Clarity, Not Conflict
This situation presents an opportunity. HSI could address concerns quickly by:
- Publishing a governance summary of the levy decision
- Providing a clear breakdown of how funds will be used
- Outlining an annual reporting structure
- Engaging with athletes and organisers on future changes
Doing so would demonstrate respect for the people who sustain the sport every week, from grassroots to elite level. It would also strengthen the trust and partnership that any national governing body needs in order to lead effectively.
The equestrian community is not resistant to supporting High Performance sport. It is simply asking for clarity, respect and accountable governance - foundations that benefit everyone, including HSI.
Equitas will continue to analyse developments, platform community concerns and support any movement toward transparent, collaborative decision-making. This is not about taking sides. It is about strengthening the systems that shape the future of Irish equestrian sport.
