National Anti Doping Rules for All Irish Equestrian Disciplines Introduced for First Time

National anti-doping rules for all equestrian disciplines have been introduced in Ireland for the first time.

The new rules were passed unanimously at a board meeting of Horse Sport Ireland today (Friday). The rules will come into effect in equestrian disciplines in Ireland from April 1st next.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the passing of the rules was a seminal moment for the equestrian sector.

"These rules will help to ensure a level playing field in national equestrian competitions, will protect the welfare of horses and I believe they will help to enhance the standing of the Irish equestrian sector at home and abroad," he said.

"Unfortunately the reputation of the Irish equestrian sector has been tarnished in the past and we have ground to make up. We need to show the general public and people coming to Ireland to buy horses that we have a no-nonsense approach to the use of prohibited substances in our sport," he said.

"Our horses are already tested frequently by the international Governing Body, the FEI, when competing in international competitions. Since the last positive test at the Hong Kong Olympics we have had over 400 horses tested in international competition and all these were clean. The next logical step was to introduce a consistent and robust national testing programme," he said.

"Since early 2011 we have been in detailed discussions with our 20 affiliate bodies on details of the new rules. To finally secure agreement is a huge step forward for the sector. I am particularly pleased that the rules were passed unanimously.

"I want to thank all of the affiliates and sections for their constructive engagement in the process. The Horse Sport Ireland Rules committee put an enormous amount of work into the project and I want to thank them for the work," he said.

The introduction of a National Anti-Doping programme was one of the recommendations in the late Gordon Holmes's report for Horse Sport Ireland after the Olympic Games in Hong Kong.