According to a report published in The Irish Field on 5th May, 2023 it is proposed that the National Horse Sport Arena at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown be removed and replaced with a vegitable garden.

When questioned by The Irish Field as to whether equestrian facilities would remain at Sport Ireland Campus, no response was forthcoming. This is an important training facility and has been used extensively across equestrian disciplines since its opening in 2013. The very existence of the National Sport Horse Arena at the Sport Ireland Campus is in no small way symbolic of equestrian sports place at the heart of Irish sport. The removal of this facility would be detrimental to equestrian sport in Ireland and the sport horse industry at large. It would serve to diminish the position of all equestrian disciplines and is disrespectful of Ireland position as a world leader not just in sport but in the breeding and production of sport horses for the global market. Removing sport horse facilities from the heart of Irelands sporting infrastructure sends a negative signal to the world market as to the esteem in which we hold our horse sport industry and risks the lively hoods on the many thousands of Irish people who rely on breeding, production and trading of horses for their lively hoods. This is simply the wrong thing to do.

In showjumping, Ireland currently has 12 riders ranked in the world's top 100. Internationally, Ireland has a history of delivering at the highest level with showjumping being amongst a narrow band of sports where Olympic success and medals are regurarly a credible prospect. It should not just be the equestrian community but all Irish people who take pride in our achievements in this regard.

It beggars belief that such an important facility used for the development of one of our most successful sports would be torn up and replaced with "a vegitable garden". 

Whilst it may be acceptable to move the National Sport Horse arena withing in the Sport Ireland  Campus should new and improved facilities be first developed, the notion of simply deleting it is not acceptable.

Please sign this partition if you agree.