THE Irish Horse Board is on the cusp of an exciting new era, seeking a Director General to strategically chart and steer the organisation - and the Irish sport horse industry - forward.

Little has publicly happened since the IHB won the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s marketing tender for the sport horse sector last year, largely due to the judicial review launched by Horse Sport Ireland which was subsequently withdrawn shortly after the HSI board resigned and a new board appointed by Minister Charlie McConalogue TD (FF).

However, all that is behind the IHB now and they are moving forward at a pace. Their new Director General will be announced in the near future. New offices have been secured and staffing plans are well under way.

In short, with their departmental backing, government funding, staff, offices - the IHB now has the bit firmly between their teeth and is galloping on with their remit to promote the Irish-bred horse, at home and overseas. No doubt, there will be a lot more to come from the Irish Horse Board this summer on their future plans which we all look forward to.

Nations Cup joy

As we went to press, Ireland’s Juniors won the Nations Cup at Gorla Minore, Italy under chef d’equipe James Kernan - many congratulations to one and all! (Full report next week).

With the backdrop of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement which heralded a new era of peace and stability on this island, framed against the upcoming visit of President Joe Biden to Ireland, we wish all our readers and advertisers a very special and Happy Easter.