INCREASING the national broadcaster’s show jumping coverage and horse breeding’s carbon neutral advantage were topics at the Irish Horse Board (IHB) promotion and marketing conference in Kilkenny on Wednesday.

“Everybody keeps saying how can we get show jumping on TV and it is very difficult. It’s probably the most onerous task we have,” said IHB Director General Alison Corbally.

However, during Dublin Horse Show, the IHB chairman Tiernan Gill met with Declan McBennett, RTÉ’s Head of Sport in what was described as a “very useful meeting”.

“There are requirements from an RTÉ side that sometimes we’re not aware of and equally they don’t appreciate how important the coverage is from our point of view. It’s still impossible to compete with Gaelic, with soccer, with golf, because literally they’re funding RTÉ. So it’s a money game, as well as everything else,” said Corbally.

Midweek events have a better chance of being aired, as has high quality footage. Up to five different segments have appeared on RTÉ since July, with the IHB press officer Brian Hennessy being praised for his part in this growth.

Low emission

A carbon neutral “huge opportunity” for breeders was mentioned during Corbally’s presentation at the “first significant equestrian conference held in Ireland” post-Covid. “They’re [horses] very low emission in comparison to the dairy herd. So, while we have fewer horses in Ireland, I think we have a very good news story to tell for the policy makers in agriculture into the future from a farm enterprise and a diversification aspect.”

“We were overwhelmed by the support and the positive feedback for the event, a very memorable day for all,” commented Corbally.

“It is wonderful to have the support of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to have been able to host this international Promotion and Marketing conference yesterday. It not only provided insights as to the power of social media in promoting equestrian businesses from Vanessa [Louise-Verdier] and Morgan [Froment], who are operating on the world stage, but also provided the perfect setting to promote the success of Irish breeders and producers.”

“It was very special to have Kate Jarvey and Patrick Connolly present to discuss what the success of their special international horses has meant to them as Irish breeders, and their stories will hopefully inspire others present in the room.”

“Paul Hendrix, Nicole Groyer from Connolly’s Red Mills, Austin O’Connor and the panel of successful Irish international show jumping riders all provided really valuable take home messages and very personal insights to those present.”

IHB chairman Tiernan Gill was equally pleased with the inaugural event (see Pages 98-99 for full report), saying: “On reflection, I thought it was a conference that was positive, down-to-earth, and shows what we can do as a nation if we work together, learn off each other, and show how modern marketing and trustworthiness amongst people, can benefit everyone in the equine industry.”