AFTER serving three very full-on years, Elaine Hatton bowed out of her role as international marketing director of Horse Sport Ireland this week.

Hatton, who came to the Naas organisation from her key role as general manager of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) in April 2015, is understood to have had a three-year contract with HSI, which was being renewed.

Her departure comes as a surprise to many in the industry.

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time working in the sport horse sector. I wish to thank everyone I worked with in the industry for their assistance over the last three years. In Horse Sport Ireland, particularly the marketing department, I thank the staff I worked with who work so hard and are so dedicated. We achieved a lot and while there’s so much more to be done, it was time for me to pursue other projects,” Hatton told The Irish Field this week.

Under her tenure, Hatton established a new international marketing division, in line with recommendations of the 10-year industry strategy plan Reaching New Heights, launched by then Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney in February 2015.

At the time of her appointment, then CEO of Horse Sport Ireland Damian McDonald described Hatton as a “huge asset’’ to Horse Sport Ireland as they embarked on the establishment of an international marketing division for the sport horse sector.

During her time in the role, Hatton worked closely alongside the major sport horse sales houses of Goresbridge and Cavan promoting Irish-bred horses as well as putting together some of Horse Sport Ireland’s most successful conferences, including the noted 2017 marketing conference in Athlone, regarded by many in the industry as a flagship event; as well as Irish Horse Gateway, roadshow promotions and attending international trade missions.

Prior to working for ITM, Hatton was head of marketing for Glanbia Agribusiness and worked for TRM. She obtained a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Equine Science from the University of Limerick and is a keen rider, competing in show jumping, eventing and showing horses before working in sport horse yards in Germany, Austria, America and Ireland.

Asked where her next move would take her, Hatton replied that she would “not be going far from the equine industry.”