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As of January 2008, both the former FEI (old umbrella group 2000-2007) and the IHB are now under the new umbrella organization. The IHB website link can be found under the heaing, Breeding. The old FEI website information can be found under the HSI new heading, Competitors' Services.
This is a new section added 15 Nov 2007 to the Irish Draught Horse Resouce Guide, which is expected to start in January 2008.
Horse Sport Ireland more details about the new agency from their website:
"John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, following consultation with his colleague Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister for Agriculture and Food, has implemented the establishment of a new Agency - Horse Sport Ireland - which will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies for the development and promotion of an internationally competitive Irish sport horse industry (breeding, sport and leisure sides). He has designated Joe Walsh, T.D., as the Chairman of the new Agency.
Horse Sport Ireland has been established following the acceptance by both Ministers of proposals contained in a report prepared by Mr. Michael Dowling, former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture and Food, which recommended new governance structures for horse sport in Ireland. Mr. Dowling consulted extensively with the main sectoral interests, including the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, the Irish Horse Board, the Irish Sports Council and the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Agriculture and Food in the course of his work and there is widespread support across the sector for these structures.
€1.75m has been allocated to Horse Sport Ireland to ensure that it can embark on its ambitious development programme. Damian McDonald has been appointed as the Chief Executive of this new, important body."
Appointments
HORSE SPORT IRELAND
PRESS RELEASE
Immediate Publication
18/09/07
HORSE SPORT IRELAND APPOINTS FOUR NEW MANAGERS
Horse Sport Ireland, the agency responsible for the development of the Horse Sport Sector in Ireland, has today announced the appointment of four new Managers.
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FINANCE MANAGER Mark Bolger of Celbridge, Co. Kildare joins Horse Sport Ireland as Finance Manager from November 1st 2007. Mark comes to us from Horse Racing Ireland where he is currently the Financial Controller of the Property and Commercial Division. Prior to this he was Financial Controller at Fairyhouse Racecourse. Mark is a Chartered Accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UCD. He has a keen interest in equestrian sport, and competes regularly on the amateur show jumping circuit. He will be responsible for all aspects of financial control at Horse Sport Ireland, and he will also act as Company Secretary. |
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EQUESTRIAN SPORT AND ACTIVITIES MANAGER Niamh O'Sullivan from Donadea, Co. Kildare joins Horse Sport Ireland as Equestrian Sport and Activities Manager from November 1st 2007. Niamh has been General Manager of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) for the past five years and was previously Equestrian Specialist Advisor with Teagasc. She has a Degree in Agriculture from Writtle College in Essex and a Postgraduate Diploma in Equine Studies from UCD. She also completed the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding and Management Course, receiving the gold medal for first place on the course. Niamh will have responsibility for High Performance programmes and international participation as well as disciplinary matters and will oversee equestrian activities. |
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TRAINING AND EDUCATION MANAGER Dublin-born Alison Corbally joins Horse Sport Ireland as Training and Education Manager from November 1st 2007. Alison joins from the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, where she has been Coaching Development Manager for the past six years. She holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from Trinity College and a Master of Equine Studies Degree from UCD. Alison will have responsibility for equestrian training programmes and breeder education programmes within Horse Sport Ireland and will work closely with affiliated organisations to ensure greater co-ordination between the programmes run by the various affiliates. |
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BREEDING MANAGER Nick Finnerty, who hails from Galway, will join Horse Sport Ireland as Breeding Manager from January 1st 2008. Prior to this he will be part of the Horse Sport Ireland management team preparing for the integration of the Irish Horse Board staff into Horse Sport Ireland, which will take place on January 1st, 2008. Nick has been Director General of the Irish Horse Board since 2004. He previously worked with the Department of Agriculture in various positions dealing with the livestock sector. Nick holds a Masters Degree in Agriculture from UCD and has considerable experience in the area of animal breeding. |
Horse Sport Ireland's Management team will be completed by the appointment of a Marketing and Communications Manager. The recruitment process to fill this position will commence shortly.
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive Damian McDonald said he was extremely pleased to welcome the four new members to the management team at Horse Sport Ireland.
"We are very fortunate to secure the services of four very talented people who will bring an ideal mix of experience and freshness to the management team," he remarked today.
Chairman Joe Walsh expressed delight at the way the new organisation was coming together.
"The filling of these key positions is a crucial step in the preparation for Horse Sport Ireland becoming fully operational on January 1st 2008, when we will take over as the Governing Body for Equestrian Sport from the EFI (Equestrian Federation of Ireland) and when the staff of the Irish Horse Board will transfer to Horse Sport Ireland," he said.