To All Eventing Ireland Members
Subject: Clarification Regarding the Cancellation of the Frankfort Stud Event
Dear Members,
Eventing Ireland wishes to address the recent cancellation of the scheduled event at Frankfort Stud, which was due to run on Sunday, 13th April. The decision to cancel the event was made by Mr. Will Kearney of Frankfort Stud and notified late on Friday, 10 April.
We are aware that a number of incorrect narratives are circulating regarding the reasons behind this cancellation. In the interest of transparency and to ensure members are accurately informed, Eventing Ireland would like to set the record straight by outlining the timeline and facts leading up to Mr. Kearney’s decision.
Insurance Background and Timeline
- February 2025
Mr. Michael McNally of Clonmahon House, who is not running an event this season, independently engaged a firm of solicitors to review the Eventing Ireland insurance policy on his own behalf on the basis he is event organiser. This legal review was not requested by any other landowner/event organiser involved in Eventing Ireland events. - 14 February 2025
Mr. McNally’s solicitors issued a letter suggesting two amendments to the policy: (1) the addition of a “hold harmless” clause, and (2) the inclusion of specific landowners’ names in the policy documentation.
Ultimately, Mr. McNally’s legal representatives accepted that the” hold harmless” clause was not suitable for an equestrian event such as this. The insurers agreed to include the individual names of landowners alongside the existing broad definition of “landowner.” At the solicitors’ insistence, they were permitted to communicate directly with Eventing Ireland’s insurance broker, Howden Insurance Brokers Limited.
- February–March 2025
As part of our constructive engagement Eventing Ireland suggested including a “waiver of subrogation” clause, that is in SJI’s policy as a practical alternative to the proposed and inappropriate “hold harmless” clause to break through the impasse. This was agreed by Mr. McNally’s solicitors and incorporated into the policy. - 11 March 2025
William Kearney, in conjunction with Mr. McNally’s solicitors, then proposed a change to the wording of the existing landowner indemnity clause. The suggested amendment aimed to emphasise that conditions which were already inapplicable were expressly stated as such with a related clarification. - 13 March 2025
Mr. McNally Senior made a further request at his own behest for a clarification regarding a perceived need to differentiate between a “site owner” and an “event organiser”. The insurers again accepted this additional change again despite reservations about its necessity. - 24 March 2025
Howden Insurance Brokers issued a revised policy that incorporated all agreed and requested amendments, with the exception of a “hold harmless clause”, which was deemed unnecessary. At this point, Eventing Ireland, the insurers, and the broker considered the insurance policy complete and fully valid and acceptable to Mr. McNally. - 10 April 2025
Mr. McNally’s solicitors indicated that the solicitor’s firm was satisfied with the revised policy terms and conditions, and their attention had turned to health and safety.
- 11 April 2025
At lunchtime on the Friday before the Frankfort Stud event due to run on the following Sunday, Mr. McNally’s solicitors issued a letter referring to a conversation with a barrister. No formal legal opinion or letter was provided by this barrister. The conversation appears to post date the requests for changes to the policy.
According to the letter, the barrister is reported as:
- Indicating he would require input from an expert insurance underwriter before issuing any legal opinion on the policy;
- Suggesting that there may be a more appropriate insurance product in the market;
- Was described as “not comfortable with the position in relation to insurance cover” though taken with his other comments it appears this reflected a need for further technical information including information about what was available in the market rather than an actual legal objection to the policy’s adequacy with no legal objection cited.
Eventing Ireland notes that the barrister appears to accept he does not specialise in equestrian insurance law and would be relying on another expert’s understanding within the industry of the terms and their usage.
In contrast, both the London based insurers and Howden insurance broker are experts in equestrian insurance. In consultation with their insurer, Howden issued an unambiguous and clear written confirmation that the existing policy, before the recent amendments, fully legally covered landowners for the purposes of Eventing Ireland events. Members can be reassured that all claims notified to date under the Eventing Ireland policy have been addressed promptly and appropriately and despite many years of eventing no landowner has been required to contribute to any successful claim.
Mr. McNally, or those acting on his behalf, subsequently circulated this letter, to Eventing Ireland organisers urging them not to run. Despite receiving this correspondence, organisers at Tyrella proceeded with their event as planned on 12 April the day before Frankfort was due to run.
Health and Safety
- 11 April 2025
Howden Insurance Brokers confirmed in writing that Eventing Ireland’s liability policy would not be invalidated whilst updates are being reviewed and implemented with regards to Eventing Ireland’s health and safety documentation, including risk assessments, policies, and procedures.
Furthermore, Eventing Ireland confirmed its commitment to health and safety by arranging and paying for an independently qualified health and safety officer to be on-site at Frankfort Stud for the scheduled event. - A dedicated Health and Safety Taskforce has also been working in conjunction with our own H&S Consultant and also a Health and Safety registered practitioner, who is recognised as an expert witness in H&S systems at work. This consultant is also a lead H&S advisor for another national equestrian sports governing body. This taskforce is to review and update all Eventing Ireland health and safety documentation, procedures, and policies. This is part of our ongoing commitment to best practice and continuous improvement.
Eventing Ireland has acted in good faith throughout this process, working closely with our broker and insurers to ensure full coverage for landowners and to address a variety of issues raised over an extended period. As of the morning of 11th April Mr. McNally’s solicitors were satisfied with the policy terms and conditions. It is important to note that there is currently no identified legal issue with the policy coverage.
Despite Eventing Ireland’s best efforts, we regret the cancellation of the Frankfort Stud event and the inconvenience it has caused to our members, competitors, volunteers, and officials.
We also wish to assure members that, despite the lateness of the cancellation by Mr Kearney, members will receive a full refund.
Looking ahead, Eventing Ireland will now consult with those organisers who continue to be content to proceed with running their events to explore the possibility with them of scheduling additional dates. We remain fully committed to delivering a competitive and rewarding season for all our members.
Sincerely,
The Board of Eventing Ireland
