NOMINATIONS for the second annual Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards are now open online.

The second annual industry awards event will take place on Saturday, April 28th, at the K Club Hotel, Straffan, Co. Kildare. This year it will be co-hosted by The Irish Field’s Brendan McArdle and show jumper and businesswoman Aisling Byrne.

The brainchild of Liam and Deirdre Geddes, the awards are designed to celebrate and honour the best of what the Irish sport horse industry has to offer – awarding those companies, individuals and organisations which show continuous dedication and innovation to the sector.

The 14 categories in this year’s Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards 2018 are: -

  • Best International Equine Enterprise Award, honouring an Irish Equestrian Enterprise operating on a global scale
  • Best Domestic Equine Enterprise Award, celebrating a successful equine enterprise that operates on the island of Ireland
  • Industry Research and Development Award which concentrates on an Irish organisation or research institution engaged in equestrian research
  • The Innovation Award which honours leadership and creativity
  • Equestrian Event of the Year awards an Irish event or show that showcases the Irish Sport Horse creatively
  • Breeder of the Year Award is given to a breeder who has consistently bred horses capable of representing Ireland internationally
  • Person of the Year Award goes to an individual who has made a signifigent difference to the Irish Sport Horse Industry
  • Organisation of the Year Award is given to groups or societies, both affiliated and unaffiliated, who have made a contribution to the industry
  • The Media Award recognises the important role played by the media in both the industry and equestrian sport
  • Best Website/Social Media Platform Award is given to the most creative use of social media or a website with equestrianism and the Irish Sport Horse
  • The Grand Prix Award is to go to an individual or group whose efforts best reflect outstanding effort and dedication for the sport
  • The Sport Horse of the Year Award will go to an Irish Sport Horse who has achieved distinction on the international stag
  • The two new categories are Broodmare of the Year Award, for the mare that has produced an excellent horse(s) that has represented Ireland and Sport Horse breeding at the highest of levels
  • The Pony of the Year Award recognises the pony that has represented Ireland with distinction on the international stage

    • The candidates are nominated by the public and every category will be judged by an independent panel of judges from within the industry.

    Nominations for this year’s awards will stay open to the public until Sunday, February 25th.

    Early bird ticket prices of €130 per person apply from February 12th to February 25th, the opening and closing date of nominations.

    For more information, visit https://www.irelandshorsereview.ie/home-1