Increased High Performance Sport Ireland budget for HSI

Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue with Horse Sport Ireland CEO, Denis Duggan, Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O’Donovan, and Horse Sport Ireland Head of Sport, Legal and Governance, Avalon Everett at the announcement. Picture: Sport Ireland

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) welcomes a significant increase in high performance funding from Sport Ireland, as the equestrian governing body builds towards the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

As part of a record investment in high performance sport of €27m in 2025, HSI will receive €900,000 each year from 2025-2028, a substantial 12 per cent increase in funding from that received between 2021 and 2024 in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics.

Investment in HSI’s High Performance Programme will total €3.6m between now and 2028, an increase of almost €400,000 which outlines the confidence Sport Ireland has in the national federation to deliver its programme and help Irish equestrian teams and athletes continue to excel on the international stage.

High Performance funding provided by Sport Ireland to Horse Sport Ireland ensures that programmes to support athletes from youth to senior level are supported with team managers, veterinary care, training, etc.  This funding supports the current squads and prepares the next generation of Irish equestrian athletes.

Announcing an overall increase of €27m across 19 national governing bodies, Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister of State Charlie McConalogue announced the funding this afternoon in Trinity College, with Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Minister McConalogue saying: “This record funding announcement for High Performance Sport highlights Ireland’s strong level of support for individual and team athletes in their endeavour to achieve the highest potential rewards. We know that public investment in High Performance Sport pays dividends and increases the possibility for Irish athletes to compete at the highest level, which is why we are investing €27m through Sport Ireland over 2025.

“The significant increase in High Performance Sport funding over many years demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment, in collaboration with Sport Ireland, to support our athletes as they continue to strive for success.”

HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan and Head of Sport, Legal and Governance, Avalon Everett, attended the funding announcement this afternoon and Mr Duggan said: “We are extremely grateful to Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport for the increase in high performance funding this year, and for the next four years. This is a significant increase for 2025 and for the Los Angeles Olympic Cycle.  The investment from Sport Ireland will total at least €3.6m over the next four years.

“A huge amount of effort goes into the HSI High Performance Programme, from the team managers, support teams (vet, farrier, etc), athletes, grooms and families, along with support staff within the staff on the sport team in the HSI office to deliver a top-class programme.

“We have enjoyed incredible success in equestrian sports in recent years, both in senior and youth ranks, and this increase in funding is testament to the hard work that goes into the programme.

“I would like to thank both Sport Ireland and the Department of Sport for their continued confidence in Horse Sport Ireland to deliver these programmes and we look forward to having further success.”