TIHA FACTFILE

The Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA) was established in 2012 by a group of breeders and producers who were concerned at:

• The fall in the number of Traditional Irish Horses (TIH) being bred.

• The fall in the percentage of coverings by thoroughbred sires in Irish sport horse breeding to an all-time low of 12%.

• The loss of foreign buyers who were no longer able to fill orders for Traditional Irish Horses in Ireland.

• The failure by HSI to identify qualifying horses as Traditional Irish Horses in their passports or in the Irish Sport Horse studbook.

Following a series of nationwide meetings and three years voluntary work by the council, over 600 members have joined the Association and are working to conserve and develop the Traditional Irish Horse (TIH).

Current officers include chairman Hugh Leonard, vice-chairman Chris Ryan, secretary Joan Bateman and treasurer Jim Cooke. The national committee is comprised of elected members from every region in Ireland.