An invitation for a team of Irish dressage riders to compete at a British show has been rescinded due to the outbreak of swamp fever in Ireland.
The organiser of the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme under-25 dressage championships at Sheepgate Equestrian in Lincolnshire, said he regretted the move, but had discussed the situation with Dressage Ireland, the governing body for the sport here, before making the decision.
"Much as I would welcome the Irish entries, it wouldn't be a sensible decision," Bruce Grant told The Irish Times yesterday. "The disease seems to be very well contained in Ireland, but we felt that it was a responsible decision that the Irish shouldn't come to the show. We've taken the very safest option."
A squad of 12 Irish riders had been selected to travel to the five-day show, which runs from August 15th-19th with about 200 horses due to take part.
Although there have been no confirmed cases of swamp fever in Britain, 24 horses are already in isolation and are being constantly tested for the disease.
The outbreak of swamp fever, also known as equine infectious anaemia, is still largely concentrated in the Kildare-Meath area and has so far been confined to the thoroughbred sector.
The Irish Equine Centre has already carried out more than 3,000 tests on at-risk animals, while the Department of Agriculture has placed restrictions on 17 premises and about 700 horses.
The department states that deaths from the disease currently number 14, but sources in the equine veterinary industry claim that the real figure is at least 20.
Despite the outbreak, the department insists that there is no threat to next week's Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show in Ballsbridge.
Show director Gerry McAuliffe is also confident that the show will go ahead as planned next Wednesday.