‘Perfect storm’ creates equestrian insurance woes
A letter from the Department of Agriculture to Cork County Council this month confirmed that Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) are in the latter stages of adding insurance to their membership programme. The letter, however, was dated 14th January, and the option of cover is already on the Horse Sport Ireland website.
This membership offer will only cover personal equestrian activities, and will not extend to commercial operators, businesses, clubs or venues. This includes hunts and point-to-point meetings.
The letter from the Department quotes HSI, that the ‘lack of available underwriting and the level of claims has contributed to the perfect storm for difficulties in the sector in getting insurance’.
Difficulties in procuring insurance for events has meant that hunts over Christmas were cancelled, or in some cases took place on foot, while some local businesses have had to close over the crisis, including the riding school element of Hillcrest Equestrian Centre in Galbally
A new group scheme was launched last year, the National Hunt Steeplechase, Point-to-Point, and Field Insurance Programme. This group scheme had sent a proposal to over 70 clubs, but it does require clubs to pay a high premium. Speaking to The Farmer’s Journal, spokesman James Norton said that the policy ‘will provide indemnity to any landowner, occupier or farmer on whose land is passed or accessed for activities organised by hunts’.
The Cork-Waterford Point- to- Point Association confirmed in November last year that its events, scheduled up until June 2022, are fully insured under their group policy which does not expire until the summer.
ANIMAL WELFARE
Organisations against blood sports have welcomed the news that insurance is proving a barrier to activities involving animals, including foxhunting. ‘ Ban Bloodsports’ earlier this month welcomed the news that Allianz Global Corporate & Speciality had pulled insurance they were offering to ‘County Sports Ireland’.
The group received a message from Allianz Ireland - another company within the Allianz group - that said ‘as the longest operating pet insurance provider in the Irish market, Allianz Ireland are committed to animal welfare and have longstanding relationships with many welfare groups and vets for almost 20 years.’ The company said it ‘does not provide insurance to organisations involved in hunt activities in Ireland’.
Foxhunting, according to the Irish Master of Foxhounds Association (IMFHA), ‘was never more popular or better supported than it is today’. A Red C poll from September 2019 reported that 77% of respondents supported a ban both on fox hunting and live hare coursing. Of 1,014 respondents, over three-quarters supported an outright ban on the activities.
A hunt is typically a group of people on horseback (or, when necessary, foot), a pack of hounds, and a single fox. The IMFHA also state that a minimum of 20 foxhounds is needed to maintain a registered pack. Despite the apparent imbalance in numbers, the IMFHA state that “the fox is a cunning and crafty animal and... the odds are very often stacked in his favour.”
Fox hunting was banned in the UK in 2004, and in Scotland in 2002. Ireland continues to allow the practice, despite opposition by animal rights groups and others.
Since 1923, the IMFHA has run point-to-points as fundraisers, subject to certain conditions.