The failure of our quarantine system under the Howard Government has pushed many equestrian sports enthusiasts to the limit.
Kerry O’Brien and Kate Lundy share concerns that EI will have long-term consequences to Australia’s equestrian industries and may affect Australia’s equestrian team in the lead up to the 2008 Olympics.
Yesterday was to be the start of the now cancelled Sydney International Three-Day Event.
The events Director, Rose Read, described the event as ‘an important stepping stone for individual riders and horses qualifying for the 2008 Olympics’.
There is now the possibility that Australia will field an equestrian team to the Olympics made up solely of overseas-based competitors.
Nationally the equestrian sport has an estimated economic impact of one billion dollars, with more than 70,000 horses and 17,500 participants registered with the Equestrian Federation of Australia alone.
Equestrian participants in NSW and much of Qld have been devastated by the outbreak of EI.
Equestrian Federation of Australia NSW CEO, Wendy Cohen, said ‘We have farriers, dentists, riding schools, trainers, coaches and none of these people at the moment can work’.
Even after the all clear is given it will take months for the sport to recover.
It is to the Howard Government’s shame that such a significant sport in Australia, and potential gold medals at the Olympics, have been put at threat by the failure of our quarantine system.”
Contact: Kerry O’Brien 0419 007 780, Martin Breen (O’Brien) 0407 435 624, Taryn Langdon (Lundy) 0417 148 059
