MINISTER for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Michael Creed, commenced a six-day trade mission of the Middle East today (Saturday) and significantly, included the sport horse sector on it.

Horse Sport Ireland's director of international marketing, Elaine Hatton, flew out in advance of the trade mission starting to first attend the fourth FBMA International Show Jumping Cup 2017 in Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

The show takes place under the patronage of her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak who invited Elaine Hatton to attend the show. It is hoped that a strong relationship between the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Sports Academy and Ireland can be established.

Hatton believes that “the Irish equestrian industry has a lot to offer in terms of coaching, equestrian tourism and horses for the developing market of ladies’ showjumping in the UAE.”

Two Irish riders are competing at the show, Michael Pender and Thomas McDaid.

Next Thursday morning, Minister Creed will visit Zabeel Stables in Dubai where racehorse trainer Satish Seemar is based alongside Kilkenny international show jumping rider Marion Hughes, who along with her husband, Miguel Bravo, operate the highly successful Z7 show jumping team.