In 2022, the Irish Cob Registry of Ireland (ICRI) applied for a contract on the eTenders website to manage the Irish Cob Studbook and the Irish Cob Part Bred Studbook (Lot 206937:3). This contract was awarded to Horse Sport Ireland (HSI).

However, HSI has not satisfactorily managed these studbooks or issued the necessary passports, causing significant issues for Irish Cob breeders and the breed itself in Ireland.

On December 6, 2024, ICRI requested that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) reconsider its decision to award the contract to HSI and instead consider ICRI's application.

If approved, ICRI would amongst other things:

• Re-establish good customer service.
• Issue the studbook passports in good time and at a reasonable rate.
• Re-establish collaboration with the daughter studbooks.