The group was officially launched last week by Minister Simon Coveney.

It is positive that Minister Coveney acknowledges the value of the industry to the Irish economy, with the sport horse sector found to be worth €700 million in a 2012 study. With almost 50,000 regular participants, it is a major sector and one that has the potential to be developed further.

The concept of the strategic group is to be welcomed, but it’s crucial that the representatives of the three institutes engage with their members to build the framework of this process. The industry needs to identify an end goal that will benefit the entire sector from the breeder to the producers, show organisers, riders, owners and so on.

The main emphasis of the strategic planning process is export-led growth and increased employment, but these can only be achieved with the correct foundations.

It’s expected that a consultation process seeking submissions from industry members will be announced shortly and the group also plans to hold a number of regional meetings to seek input from the sector. This is the industry’s chance to have their say and all submissions are to be encouraged.

THIS WEEK

In this week’s paper, we announce the first four nominees in the 2014 Gain Horse Feeds/Star of the Month Award. All monthly winners will go forward for an annual award, the winner of which will be announced in just over 12 months’ time. The winner of last year’s award will be revealed at the Irish Horse World awards this month.

In his column this week, Shane Breen talks about the choices that team manager Robert Splaine made regarding the venues that Ireland hopes to earn points in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Series. It’s interesting to get his thoughts on the process and how confident he is of Ireland’s chances of winning a medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games later in the year.