Eventing Ireland Event Organisers Statement. Jan27th, 2025.

(As posted today across various pages and profile on Facebook).

As event organisers, we recognise and appreciate the commitment of every individual involved in making the Eventing Ireland wheel turn. We acknowledge the Eventing Ireland head office as our governing body and the many responsibilities it has in keeping our sport sustainable, progressive, fair, inclusive and most importantly, safe.

In March and April of 2024, there were 2 meetings with the board of EI. At those meetings, there were numerous issues raised by event organisers that they thought needed to be addressed. It was accepted by those board members present that the issues were important and some change needed to be made. The 2024 season came and went and unfortunately, no change was made.

Historically, there has been a dates meeting with the board member appointed to deal with dates. At this meeting, event organisers get an opportunity to voice their concerns and then agree among each other the dates for the coming season.

Eventing Ireland head office is responsible for calling this meeting, but in 2024 they postponed the meeting 2 times and then proceeded to publish a dates calander without having a meeting.

Following Eventing Irelands’ failure to convene an event organisers dates meeting there was an ad hoc group formed to discuss the issues each event had. With plenty of discussion, there was the acceptance that running one day events with the current pricing plan and insurance policy was not sustainable.

There was a letter written from the group to the board outlining the issues and proposed solutions. It was promised to us that our concerns would be treated as a matter of urgency and validity.

These matters were to be discussed at a board meeting on the 22nd of January and the outcome reported back to the EO committee on the 23rd of January, but there was no communication on the 23rd.

The event organisers committee is not in any way satisfied with communications or actions taken by the board in this matter with the appointed chairman of our group, which has caused great concern.

On Friday the 24th of January, the event organisers committee wrote to the board and general manager with the following statement.

It is with great disappointment that I attach the following list of National events to be removed from the 2025 Eventing Ireland calendar immediately.

Lisgarvan

Grove

Clyda

Crecora

Frankfort Stud

Scarteen

We have also been liaising with several venues about submitting dates for this year’s calander. These venues would be willing to submit dates if our issues were addressed.

Clonmahon

Hillcrest

Kilguilkey

Blackstairs

I trust these dates will be removed immediately from the website until such a time that these issues are addressed.

All queries to be directed Will Kearney.

Kind regards,

Will Kearney, Frankfort Stud.

Acting Event organisers chairman.

Clive Corrigan, Lisgarvan.

Rosemary Ponsonby, Grove.

David O’Meara, Clyda.

Gerald Furnell, Crecora.

Chris Ryan, Scarteen.

Michael McNally, Clonmahon.

Dereck Hamilton, Blackstairs.

Danny Dulohery, Kilguikey.

Rodney O’Donnell, Hillcrest.

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Eventing Ireland Event Organisers Statement. Jan27th, 2025.

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