About Irish Horse Gateway
The Irish Horse Gateway is an initiative of Horse Sport Ireland (HSI), launched in 2013 to connect Irish horses to buyers around the world. It is HSI’s first point of contact for overseas clients seeking information on sourcing Irish horses and ponies for equestrian sport and leisure.
AIMS OF THE IRISH HORSE GATEWAY
The Irish Horse Gateway’s mission is to connect buyers to sellers of Irish horses and ponies, and promote the Irish horse and pony internationally to build upon its worldwide reputation.
All revenues generated by the Irish Horse Gateway will be reinvested in marketing the Irish Horse Gateway and Irish horses and ponies.
To help breeders and producers in Ireland to promote and sell high quality Irish horses and ponies in international markets.
- To give foreign buyers increased confidence in buying horses and ponies in Ireland.
- To assist foreign buyers in sourcing reputable providers of other services they may require in Ireland.
- To provide market feedback to Irish breeders and producers.
The IHG is aimed at the export market and links prospective buyers of Irish horses and ponies to participating sellers in Ireland.
HSI regularly receives requests from prospective international buyers about purchasing an Irish horse or pony. In the past these requests have been directed towards public auctions, however, these do not suit all potential buyers and as the global market has changed and moved increasingly online the role of the Irish Horse Gateway has only increased.
The site has a number of features including that participating sellers must agree to the Code of Conduct before they put their horses up for sale on the site and all horses must have recorded pedigree (sire and dam).
ABOUT HORSE SPORT IRELAND
Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State for Sport, the Gaeltacht & Defence, with Una May, CEO, Sport Ireland, and Denis Duggan, Chief Executive Officer, Horse Sport Ireland. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In 2001 following an extensive consultation process, Liam Connell, former President of the RDS, produced a report setting out the principles on which a new body would be created. The fundamental rationale behind the proposal was the bringing together of equestrian sport and breeding into one body.
Michael Dowling, former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, was appointed by the Departments of Sport and Agriculture to produce an implementation plan. His report was completed in mid-2006 and in December 2006 Horse Sport Ireland was set up by the Ministers for Agriculture and Sport. Joe Walsh, the former Minister for Agriculture was appointed as Horse Sport Ireland’s first Chairman.
During 2007 the organisation recruited a CEO and Management Team and the Staff of the Irish Horse Board and the Equestrian Federation of Ireland transferred to Horse Sport Ireland.
On January 1st, 2008, the organisation became the Governing Body for equestrian sport in Ireland (32 counties) as recognised by the International Governing Body (FEI), The Irish Sports Council and the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI).
In July 2008, the Department of Agriculture transferred responsibility for maintaining the Irish Horse Register to Horse Sport Ireland following a Special General Meeting of the Irish Horse Board.
In 2010 the organisation was formally recognised as the Governing Body for equestrian sport by Sport Northern Ireland.
The primary functions of Horse Sport Ireland are to:
- Support the development and growth of the Sport Horse Industry in Ireland and internationally.
- Interface with Government and Government Agencies on behalf of the sector.
- Act as the national Governing Body for Equestrian Sport, as recognised by the FEI, SI, OFI and Sport NI.
- Maintain the Irish Horse Register which incorporates the Irish Sport Horse and the Irish Draught Horse Studbooks.
- Maintain the Irish Sport Pony and Irish Cob Studbook.
- Issue ID documents for horses by way of approval from the DAFM.
- Administer Equestrian High Performance Programmes for selected disciplines Olympic and Paralympic
- Run the National Anti-Doping Programme for the sport horse industry.
- Run the National Equestrian Coaching Development Programme with Sport Ireland Coaching.
- Operate the online Pedigree, Progeny and Performance database –IHR Online.
