When people think of Ireland’s horse world, their minds go to the glamour of the big names—racing at Curragh, the sales at Goffs, or the buzz of Dublin Horse Show. But the real lifeblood of the industry is found elsewhere, in the unassuming corners of rural Ireland. It’s the grassroots equestrians—those who quietly chip away at their passion for horses—who hold everything together.

Without them, the whole house of cards would come tumbling down.

These are the riders out before first light, the breeders walking mares through fields of muck, and the parents cramming ponies into borrowed boxes on the morning of a local show. They don’t do it for headlines or glory. They do it because they love it. And in doing so, they underpin an industry worth billions and a culture steeped in history.

The Backbone of the Industry

Grassroots equestrians are everywhere, even if they’re not in the spotlight. They’re the people who support local shows, riding clubs, and training events. They’re buying bags of feed, booking farriers, and keeping tack shops in business. It’s not flashy, but it’s vital.

Take them out of the picture, and you’d notice quickly—no young riders coming up, no community events, no thriving rural yards.

For many, the local show or hunt ride isn’t about winning—it’s about belonging. They keep rural Ireland ticking, creating a sense of community that’s becoming harder to find. A small yard in the middle of nowhere might not seem like much, but it’s where friendships are born, lessons are learned, and lifelong passions are sparked.

The Keepers of Tradition

Ireland’s horse culture is a thread running through generations. Grassroots riders are its keepers, passing down the knowledge of how to care for, train, and connect with horses. They’re the ones keeping native breeds like the Connemara and Irish Draught alive, valuing their utility and heart over the glitz of imported bloodlines.

More importantly, they’re nurturing the next generation. Olympic dreams might start with a scruffy pony and a local instructor who makes you believe you can jump a fence. The top riders of tomorrow—the ones who’ll wear the green jacket on the world stage—are coming up through these fields and yards, not straight into a world of sponsorship deals and international circuits.

Grassroots Equestrians need to be listened to more!

Despite their importance, grassroots equestrians are under strain. Rising costs of everything from feed to land mean that for many, keeping horses feels less like a lifestyle and more like a luxury. Insurance premiums are crippling for smaller operations, and with fewer young people getting into the saddle, the pipeline to the professional side of the industry is narrowing.

Add in rural depopulation, where villages once buzzing with horsey activity now feel quieter, and the challenges mount. Still, grassroots equestrians are nothing if not resilient. There are sparks of hope—local training bursaries, new initiatives to keep riding accessible, and online platforms connecting communities in ways that were unthinkable a few years ago, it is what we try to do here at Grassroots.

Acknowledging what needs to be acknowledged!!!!

If the equine industry were a pyramid, grassroots equestrians are its wide, sturdy base. Take care of them, and everything above thrives. Neglect them, and the cracks will show—sooner than you think.

It’s time for the wider industry to pay closer attention to our unsung heroes. Funding needs to filter down to the base, not just to the shiny end of racing, showjumping or elite sports. Community shows, riding clubs, and local yards need support to survive, and with them, the heartbeat of rural Ireland.

So here’s to the grassroots equestrians—the ones out in the rain, the ones fixing fences after dark, and the ones riding their hearts out for that elusive clear round. They might never set foot in an arena with a camera crew, but without them, there’d be no industry at all.

Let’s make sure we champion them, we acknowledge them and we listen to them—not just with words, but with actions. Because when grassroots is strong, the whole industry stands tall, and the future is a whole lot brighter.