UPDATE – Statement on the recently announced public health measures

Horse Sport Ireland have engaged with Sport Ireland following the announcement by An Taoiseach on August 19th in relation to updated public health measures which are now in place. The previous restrictions announced for Laois and Offaly  have been lifted, however restrictions relating to Kildare continue to remain in place and will be reviewed on September 6th. New measures and restrictions have been announced by Government in order to curb the spread of Covid-19 following a recent spike in cases in the Republic. Horse Sport Ireland are advised that the following are the key measures announced in relation to sport.

Updated Public Health Measures – Sport 

Sport facilities/venues can remain open.

Competition

• Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors. Equestrian events should continue to observe strict adherence to the Equestrian Sport Ready and Affiliate Protocols, as issued.

Equestrian events can operate on the strict proviso that social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. In the context of equestrian events, this includes formal hospitality offerings at, or during events. Furthermore, the number restriction of 15 people does not apply to competitions/events.

In line with FEI recommendations for Equestrian Sport, Horse Sport Ireland are requesting all participants to wear face coverings/masks while attending events. This is for individual safety and that of others.

Training

• Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups. In the context of equestrian, this is applicable to non-competition recreational type activity and training. The limitation of 15 people, extends to groups congregating for a defined period of time.
• Outdoor Exercise & Sports training can do so in multiple pods of 15 once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.
• Sports Summer Camps can do so in multiple pods of 6 (indoor) and 15 (outdoor) once sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.

Elite/High Performance/ Professional Athletes

• As per the guidance issued last week, the advices in respect High Performance/Elite and Professional athletes remains. Sport Ireland Exemptions apply when travelling within, to or from Kildare under ‘elite or professional’ sport.

It is important to note that regardless of the setting – be it competition or training, Horse Sport Ireland asks that all stakeholders, affiliates and those responsible for venues and activities to ensure a rigorous application at all times of the public health regulations. We appreciate this is can be challenging, but public health is paramount.  Equestrian Sport has been recognised as an activity that is permitted to continue and the onus is on all Stakeholders to ensure that remains the case, both for our sport and for the Sport Horse Industry in Ireland. Horse Sport Ireland would like to extend our thanks to all for their hard work, effort and cooperation in these unprecedented circumstances.