Horse Sport Ireland Seeks High Court Protection and Interim Examiner

Horse Sport Ireland has secured High Court protection after due to legacy legal debts. An interim examiner was appointed on August 24, 2026, to restructure the national equestrian body, preserve its 47 full-time jobs, and maintain key government-contracted services for stakeholders across the country.

High Court Protection and the Appointment of an Interim Examiner

The national governing body for equestrian sports has turned to the courts for corporate rescue. Barrister Arthur Cunningham told Judge Liam Kennedy that while the organization was unable to pay its debts, an independent expert maintained that the company had a reasonable prospect of survival through examinership.

Chartered accountant Joseph Walsh agreed to act as examiner and received an interim appointment during the afternoon hearing. Karen Brosnan, a director of the organization, filed an affidavit requesting that accountant Joe Walsh be appointed as interim examiner before Justice Liam Kennedy. HSI is a company limited by guarantee, meaning it has no individual shareholders. Mr Cunningham said the company was recognised by Sport Ireland, Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, the Federation Equestre Internationale and Sport Northern Ireland as the national governing body for the equestrian sector in the country.

Legacy Legal Liabilities and Software Development Costs

The company has historically maintained nominal reserves to insulate it against any trading issues or significant trading losses, but had been hit with large legal costs arising from various sets of proceedings, the court heard. Court proceedings revealed that the company had incurred costs of €1,581,995 in the development of software programmes as of the end of June 2026, alongside ongoing obligations on pensions and payroll.

Horse Sport Ireland Seeks High Court Protection and Interim Examiner — Photo: The Currency

State Funding Reliance and Emergency Staff Briefings

The organization relies heavily on state backing, receiving more than €6 million in State funding each year, with the bulk coming from the Department of Agriculture, and Sport Ireland awards grants for its high-performance equestrian teams. The company, which employs 47 full-time workers, is highly dependent on grants from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and Sport Ireland which, alone, had funded the company to the tune of €2.1m for 2026.

HSI had an emergency town hall meeting for staff on Monday afternoon at its headquarters in Naas where employees were briefed on the consequences of the examinership process. HSI employs 47 full-time staff and they were told there would possibly be redundancies in order to reduce payroll costs. A source in the HSI said staff were shocked and most had no warning that the organisation’s finances were so bad. It's just a complete bolt from the blue, one said.

Corporate Rescue Strategy and Government Priorities

Independent expert Cormac Mohan, of AAB Ireland, had stated that the formulation, acceptance and confirmation of proposals for a scheme of arrangement, in conjunction with the introduction of additional capital or support of the Department of Agriculture and Sport Ireland, would offer a reasonable prospect of survival. The company was confident that these conditions could be met, while the directors believed that the examinership process would afford the company a reasonable prospect of trading successfully into the future and preserve the current jobs.

A source in the HSI said staff were shocked and most had no warning that the organisation’s finances were so bad — Photo: Irishtimes

Mr Cunningham said the company directors considered that the appointment of an interim examiner would be in the interests of the creditors across a number of jurisdictions. He said there would be an immediate requirement to engage with them to explain the examinership process. The interim examiner would allow an investment process to commence immediately.

Horse Sport Ireland – Sponsor Info Video

The petition for the appointment of an interim examiner was brought by the company’s directors following a meeting on August 20th, at which it was agreed to appoint Graham Kenny Solicitors to advise the company. The directors listed in the petition proceedings were Kevin Smyth of Balally Park, Dundrum, Dublin; Allison Mercer of Kinallen, Dromore, Co Down; Susan Foley of Adare, Co Limerick; Karen Brosnan of Westown, Naas, Co Kildare; Pamela Byrne of Rathangan, Co Kildare; David Markey of Cabinteely, Dublin; Robert Huey of Cookstown, Co Tyrone; and Killian Carroll of Blackberry Hill, Carrickmines, Dublin. Additional address details noted in the filings include Allison Mercer of Whitethorn Brae, Kinallen, Dromore, Co Down; Susan Foley of Clonshire, Adare, Limerick; Karen Brosnan of Annacoil, Forenaughts, Westown, Naas, Kildare; Pamela Byrne of Ballinowlart South, Rathangan, Kildare; and Robert Huey of Knockaleery Road, Cookstown, Co Tyrone.

The Board of Horse Sport Ireland has today [August 24] presented a petition to the High Court seeking the appointment of an Examiner and an Interim Examiner has been appointed following an order of the High Court.