Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh has stressed the importance of the Irish Sports Council funding to equestrian sport. While Horse Sport Irelands allocation for core funding and High Performance funding has been reduced in 2009, the Chairman of the Equestrian Governing Body said that without the funding provided it would be very difficult to develop the sport to it's potential and almost impossible for the sport to compete at the highest international level.

"Being competitive internationally is a huge undertaking and we are competing against countries with vast resources. This year, all of our underage and senior teams in Show Jumping and Eventing will compete at European championships. To prepare the teams properly and get them there is expensive and without the support of the Irish Sports Council it would be impossible to be competitive", he said.

Joe Walsh also pointed out the disciplines themselves, through Show Jumping Ireland and Eventing Ireland, we're also investing substantially in High Performance programmes.

"There are huge costs each year and we also have to keep a close eye on the future through development squads and underage squads to ensure we have throughput of new talent. The affiliate bodies themselves also invest money in training at grassroots level which is also vital", he said.

"Ginny has put a fantastic coaching programme in place and the sport itself has risen to the challenge by providing substantial funding of its own through Eventing Ireland. Programmes like this are expensive to run but in an era of increasing professionalism you have to get the best people involved if you want success", he said.

Irish show jumpers are also competing regularly at the highest level, with four Irish riders ranked in the top 50 in the world. "Ireland recently finished second in the Nations' Cup in Wellington, only beaten by Olympic silver medalists Canada. The Meydan Nations Cup series (formerly the Super League) will start in May and without funding we would find it very difficult to be successful in this competition", he said.

"All our under-age teams are also currently in Coaching programmes to prepare for their championships. These are the stars of the future and the coaching they are receiving now will really benefit them in the future", he said.

Mr Walsh highlighted the great boost that sport can give the country as was shown recently. "Success does not happen by accident. We need proper plans that are consistently implemented over a sustained period. The funding and support provided by the Irish Sports Council is central to delivering success. We need professional coaches producing well administered programmes and the Irish Sports Council funding is crucial if we are to deliver this", he concluded.

21 year-old Sinead Kennedy who hails from Tralee, took her first win in the HSI Guidam Spring Show Jumping Tour at Maryville Stables in Carrigaline, Cork's very own centre of excellence on Sunday last. Riding her father's Irish-bred 10 year-old gelding 'KEC Alicante', Kennedy was one of seven through to the €2,500 jump-off, on James Tarrant's course, from a starting field of 29.

Afterwards she said, "This was a fantastic venue, and the sand arena really suited my horse. We were fourth here last year and this is a terrific day for us. I think the Guidam Tour is great for young riders."

The young rider prize in the class went to West Cork rider Blayne Sheehan, who was placed a very credible 7th in he class. The 2009 tour, organised by the Show Jumpers' Club, features a total of 13 Grands Prix throughout Ireland, and the total prize fund will be €40,000. Horse Sport Ireland is sponsoring the tour for the first time in its five year history. Local sponsor on the day was Maryville stables.