THE Irish Horse Board has organised a promotion and marketing conference for equestrian businesses with a stellar line-up of industry professionals on hand to offer their advice and experience. The event will be held this Tuesday, November 21st, in Lyrath Hotel, Co Kilkenny.

“The conference is a chance to consider the ever-changing face of the Sport Horse sector through listening to a superb line-up of successful international riders regarding their personal experience and hearing from the world-famous Hendrix family, as they discuss the development of the Dutch Sport Horse Sales,” IHB Director General Alison Corbally said.

Paul and Janou Hendrix

The foundations for the Hendrix family business were laid by grandfather Hendrix, who passed on his passion for horses and entrepreneurship to his sons, Paul and Emile. Meanwhile, the third generation is also at the helm of the companies of Stal Hendrix in Baarlo and Kessel. Their business includes the production and sale of horses, while Emile, Timothy and Michel in particular train riders from all over the world. Paul Hendrix is a breeder at heart and since the end of 2012, Stal Hendrix has its own stallion station at the Kessel location. Every year about 25 foals are bred at Stal Hendrix and, in addition, multiple high potential foals are purchased. Paul will outline how they grew the Hendrix brand and the ever-changing auction business.

Creators and experts

As a professional equestrian photographer and globetrotter, Morgan Froment has had the opportunity to visit more than 20 countries and attend some of the best horse shows. He works regularly with Global League events Equestrian Sport and other clients and collaborators in the world of equestrian sports, racing, polo and horse shows. In addition to his activities as a photographer and videographer, he is also a show jumping coach and is involved in the development of international equestrian projects.

As an International content creator, marketing consultant and social media manager, Vanessa Louis-Verdier also has the privilege of travelling around the world and working at prestigious equestrian events. She is working with some of the leading international riders with the aim of showcasing our sport and industry in the best possible way by creating social media content for athletes, brands and businesses. She will also discuss and share her knowledge regarding the power of social media and marketing.

Nicole Groyer is an Animal Science Equine graduate from University College Dublin. She joined Connolly’s RED MILLS Nutrition team in 2018 and she has been a key member providing technical support across Ireland, Europe and the Middle East. Nicole has worked in many areas of the equine industry, as a result, she has extensive understanding of performance horse nutrition, as well as the challenges owners, breeders and trainers may face. Nicole’s current focus is to provide technical support and sales in the Irish market, specialising in stud and performance sport horse nutrition.

International riders

Jessica Burke is a leading Irish international show jumper competing at 5* level and a renowned producer of young horses. Jessica’s emphasis is on quality over quantity when it comes to horses. Currently running the business at Arion Stud, where the aim is to produce horses from youngsters all the way to 5* level for the growing market. She will give us insights on how she is growing the business and her own international profile.

In 2017, Seamus Hughes Kennedy was a member of the gold medal winning Irish European Pony Team in Kaposvar, Hungary, placing seventh overall personally, with Cuffesgrange Cavalidam.

In 2018, he was a member of the Irish Pony Team that won the inaugural FEI Pony Jumping Team Competition in Sentower Park, Belgium.

After just turning 17, Seamus and Cuffesgrange Cavadora (ISH), a daughter of his pony Cuffesgrange Cavalidam, won the 2019 Seven-year-old FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium. This year, he has had eight ranking class wins on four different horses, all self-produced and a Young Rider Team and individual gold medal on the eight-year-old ESI Rocky (ISH) at the European Championships in Gorla Minore, Italy.

Richard Howley was born in Sligo, but has been based in England for the last 10 years, currently living in Yorkshire where he and his wife Morgan Kent set up HK Horses. They produce horses through the grades competing in show jumping from young horses to Grand Prix level, as well as producing eventers to four-star level. Richard will describe the development of business and the role social media and marketing play in that development.

Headline-makers

Niamh McEvoy hails from Co Tyrone and is currently working for Greg Broderick in Ballypatrick Stables. She came up through the pony ranks and was a member of the gold medal winning European pony team in 2019, as well as being National Champion.

This year in Lanaken at the World Championships, she won a silver medal with Ronan Rothwell and Greg’s Boleybawn Alvaro and is having an incredible season.

Attendees can also look forward to hearing all about Austin O’Connor’s road to his five-star win in the Maryland three-day event, having placed third in Badminton. Austin has had a long career as an Irish equestrian, since winning team gold in the 1995 Young Rider championships, riding at the Olympics in Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008 and Tokyo 2021.

This conference will assist you to recognise your target audience and set market objectives that can be achieved through social media. Tickets can be purchased at the Irish Horse Board website (student discount offered). Promotional trade stand space also available. For further details, visit www.ihb.ie