Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 20 September 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Challenges facing the Horse Sport Industry: Discussion

Mr. Niki Potterton:

Yes, but that is for the Army's use. As I said, in other countries they have plans in place so that if they see a top-level horse on the market, possibly to be sold out of the country, they will buy into the horse and keep it in the country so that it will run for Germany, France, Belgium or whatever country. The horse will be given to a rider who has the best possibility of winning a medal on it. We should also look at these plans. Tax incentives might enable these horses to be kept. Our biggest challenge in eventing is that when a horse reaches its peak and starts to do well, someone comes in with a pile of money. The rider has to survive and live, so the only thing he can do is oust it on and hope there is another one in the yard that might come close to it. That is breeding. That agriculture money could be used to keep the horses in the country.