Horse sport ireland publishes draft strategic plan for consultation

Alibear

http://www.horsesportireland.ie/news/426

HORSE Sport Ireland has today (Friday) published its draft strategic plan for public consultation. The draft plan, approved for publication at Horse Sport Ireland’s board meeting last Wednesday (October 1st), is the product of consultation with industry stakeholders and sets out the organisation’s vision and plans for the next four years.

The plan sets out 12 key areas of strategic focus under four principles. These principles are

•A market led approach
•Increasing participation
•Improved infrastructure
•Strong leadership

A MARKET LED APPROACH
One of the key proposals in the document is a change in the Irish Sport Horse stallion selection process, away from a formal approval and classification system towards a system which provides the highest possible level of published information. Prospective stallions will be required to attend a formal inspection incorporating a veterinary and conformation assessment. The results of this inspection will be published and breeders can draw their own conclusion about the merits of the stallion.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that while this was a radical change in policy it was unanimously supported by both the breeding advisory sub board and the main board.

“The view was that we should put our faith in the breeders to make their own judgements about stallions. Horse Sport Ireland’s job would be to provide breeders with as much published information as possible about individual stallions to assist breeders in making their decisions,” he said.

INCREASING PARTICIPATION
The organisation sets out plans to increase participation in the sector by riders, owners and spectators. This includes the introduction of a programme in secondary schools in conjunction with riding establishments, and the appointment of a staff member within Horse Sport Ireland to promote sport horse ownership.

IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE
This area deals with improving physical and administrative infrastructure as well as education and High Performance structures. The organisation intends to produce a separate High Performance Plan by the end of the year in consultation with the Irish Sports Council and the relevant affiliates. Training and education will be a priority for Horse Sport Ireland. A number of new initiatives are already underway and the plan sets out further programmes to be rolled out over the next four years.

STRONG LEADERSHIP
The plan focuses on the need for strong leadership by the new Governing Body and sets out actions in the area of Governance and emphasises the importance of secure funding. Horse Sport Ireland also plans to set up an integrity services section to implement the findings of the expert group set up recently under the Chairmanship of Dr. Gordon Holmes to advise the board on the eradication of prohibited substances and practices from the Irish equestrian sector.

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the board regarded the plan as being both comprehensive and ambitious and that they looked forward to receiving submissions.

“The purpose of publishing the plan in draft form is to allow groups and individuals from within the sector and outside it to offer their views on the plan before it is finally approved,” he said.

Section A
Section B

Currently going through it... I really like the sound of 2.3.6! (2.3.6 - Introduce a combined National Championships for all disciplines)