EQUESTRIAN DRUGS RECOMMENDATIONSSWEEPING CHANGES to Irish equestrianism have been recommended by the expert group established by the board of Horse Sport Ireland to eradicate prohibited substances and practices from the sector.

Chaired by Dr Gordon Holmes, the report, launched yesterday, proposes a number of changes to the way all FEI disciplines are conducted at national level with major implications for international competitors.

Key recommendations are the establishment of a national medication and anti-doping testing programme; the introduction of a licensing system for riders at national level; international rides to keep a detailed log book of all medications, and products, administered to their horse; and a proposal that prohibited practices, as listed by HSI, be outlawed as part of animal welfare legislation being developed by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Testing and spot checks on yards and training grounds by HSI, recommended in the report, would require a huge funding which would most likely have to be raised by the sector itself. “This is an industry problem,” stated HSI chief executive Damian McDonald, “and if funding needs to be raised from either levies on entries or events then so be it.”

A licensing system is seen as a mechanism to enforce regulations and impose penalties. The report is on the HSI’s website www.horsesportireland.ie.

Meanwhile, John Floody and Conor Drain, leaders in the Horse Sport Ireland/Guidam spring tour, are both bringing three horses to Sunday’s third leg of the series at Killossery Lodge Stud, north Co Dublin – 62 horses were declared on Thursday for the 1.30m Grand Prix.