magic104
Well-Known Member
The Irish Horse Board is delighted to welcome the Report Irish Sport Horse Industry, Analysis and Recommendations, which was launched today by Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan T.D.
The IHB commissioned Report is the product of over two years of extensive research into the Irish sport horse industry. The purpose of the Report, which was authored by UCDs Karen Hennessy and Katherine Quinn, is to provide research-based analysis and recommendations for input into a strategic plan for the future development of the Irish Sport Horse industry.
All available data and information was used in compiling the Report, including an analysis of industry databases, presentations by industry organisations, questionnaires distributed to industry organisations and industry members, consultations with key stakeholders within the industry and written submissions from individuals and organisations. In addition, a number of consultations and visits took place to the main European Studbooks in order to gain insights into the breeding and industry structure of our main competitors.
This ground-breaking research is a major step forward for the industry and will, for the first time, provide factual information on the entire sport horse sector. It provides a starting point from which to look forward and work to establish an internationally competitive and successful Irish Sport Horse industry through the development and promotion of the breeding, sport, leisure and business sectors.
Todays publication will be followed shortly by the publication of the Profile of the Irish Sport Horse Industry. This will provide an overview of industry statistics, which formed the basis of this Report.
Figures generated from the research show a growing sport horse population with approximately 110,000 animals as at December 2005, making Ireland the most densely sport horse populated country in Europe. Included in this figure are 27,500 sport horse and pony broodmares, which provide a valuable and unique genetic resource. The countrys longstanding equine tradition ensures the special importance of this sector to the Irish nation, with an estimated 53,000 people regularly involved in the industry. Equine organisations and businesses are important to the rural fabric and facilitate the development of a network of close family and friendship connections. A conservative estimate of expenditure within the industry is 400 million per annum.
A number of issues that have been identified and that need to be addressed include; the fragmentation of the industry, professional standards, information management, education, elite horse and rider development, facilities, equine welfare, the protection of native breeds and the genetic improvement of the Irish Sport Horse.
Eight strategic areas have been identified under which recommendations have been made. These areas are (a) Management & Administration of the Industry, (b) Sport and Leisure Development, (c) Education and Training, (d) Marketing, Fundraising and Sponsorship, (e) Business Development, (f) Welfare, Ethics, Safety & Environment, (g) Research and (h) Breeding.
The planning and development of the industry will be an ongoing evolving process and it is felt that this research will provide a very good basis from which to strive to facilitate an internationally competitive and successful Irish Sport Horse industry.
The Irish Horse Board would like to thank all of the individuals, organisations and Studbooks who contributed to the Report. The Board would also like to express its sincere thanks to the authors of the report, Katherine Quinn and Karen Hennessy, for the huge amount of work and time that they have dedicated over the past two years to the study.
IHB Chairman, Mr. Joe Walsh, welcomed the report and stated that the Irish Horse Board now looks forward to the immediate development of a strategic plan for the industry and the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report.
Some might find it interesting, I like the fact they are working together to make the improvements.
The IHB commissioned Report is the product of over two years of extensive research into the Irish sport horse industry. The purpose of the Report, which was authored by UCDs Karen Hennessy and Katherine Quinn, is to provide research-based analysis and recommendations for input into a strategic plan for the future development of the Irish Sport Horse industry.
All available data and information was used in compiling the Report, including an analysis of industry databases, presentations by industry organisations, questionnaires distributed to industry organisations and industry members, consultations with key stakeholders within the industry and written submissions from individuals and organisations. In addition, a number of consultations and visits took place to the main European Studbooks in order to gain insights into the breeding and industry structure of our main competitors.
This ground-breaking research is a major step forward for the industry and will, for the first time, provide factual information on the entire sport horse sector. It provides a starting point from which to look forward and work to establish an internationally competitive and successful Irish Sport Horse industry through the development and promotion of the breeding, sport, leisure and business sectors.
Todays publication will be followed shortly by the publication of the Profile of the Irish Sport Horse Industry. This will provide an overview of industry statistics, which formed the basis of this Report.
Figures generated from the research show a growing sport horse population with approximately 110,000 animals as at December 2005, making Ireland the most densely sport horse populated country in Europe. Included in this figure are 27,500 sport horse and pony broodmares, which provide a valuable and unique genetic resource. The countrys longstanding equine tradition ensures the special importance of this sector to the Irish nation, with an estimated 53,000 people regularly involved in the industry. Equine organisations and businesses are important to the rural fabric and facilitate the development of a network of close family and friendship connections. A conservative estimate of expenditure within the industry is 400 million per annum.
A number of issues that have been identified and that need to be addressed include; the fragmentation of the industry, professional standards, information management, education, elite horse and rider development, facilities, equine welfare, the protection of native breeds and the genetic improvement of the Irish Sport Horse.
Eight strategic areas have been identified under which recommendations have been made. These areas are (a) Management & Administration of the Industry, (b) Sport and Leisure Development, (c) Education and Training, (d) Marketing, Fundraising and Sponsorship, (e) Business Development, (f) Welfare, Ethics, Safety & Environment, (g) Research and (h) Breeding.
The planning and development of the industry will be an ongoing evolving process and it is felt that this research will provide a very good basis from which to strive to facilitate an internationally competitive and successful Irish Sport Horse industry.
The Irish Horse Board would like to thank all of the individuals, organisations and Studbooks who contributed to the Report. The Board would also like to express its sincere thanks to the authors of the report, Katherine Quinn and Karen Hennessy, for the huge amount of work and time that they have dedicated over the past two years to the study.
IHB Chairman, Mr. Joe Walsh, welcomed the report and stated that the Irish Horse Board now looks forward to the immediate development of a strategic plan for the industry and the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report.
Some might find it interesting, I like the fact they are working together to make the improvements.