WHAT entity and its staff travelled almost 50,000kms promoting the Irish horse across the world in 2016?
The Irish Horse Gateway was initiated by Horse Sport Ireland in 2013 to connect the world to the Irish horse. As such, it is the first point of contact for overseas clients seeking information on sourcing Irish horses and ponies for equestrian sport and leisure.
Travelling over 41,348kms over the last 12 months, The Irish Horse Gateway’s (IHG) mission is to connect buyers to sellers of Irish horses and ponies and promote the Irish horse internationally to build upon its reputation worldwide. This involves the advertisement of horses for sale from registered sellers on its website and the marketing of Irish horses worldwide at prestigious shows and events.
Here the globe-trotting staff of Irish Horse Gateway, headed by HSI’s international marketing director, Elaine Hatton, take a look back at a busy 2016 nationally and internationally - a year in which their roadshow trailer alone travelled 5,000kms.
JANUARY
Some 30,000 visitors attended Liverpool International Horse Show from January 1st-3rd, where IHG sponsored the CSI amateur 1.30m Grand Prix, won by Ireland’s Aisling Byrne and Wellview Classic Dream (ISH) (TIH).
A memorandum of understanding was signed on the January 20th by HSI and Professors Kim and Ahn of South Korea, outlining HSI’s agreement to assist in the promotion of equestrian sport in Korea over the next number of years and to provide a new export market, following Elaine Hatton’s visit to South Korea in November 2015.
The first student talk of the year took place with Seoul University (South Korea), given by Elaine Hatton and Michael Doherty.
FEBRUARY
A further two student talks were held with Alfred University (USA) by Elaine Hatton and marketing manager Sophie D’Alton, and Nottingham Trent University (Britain) by Michael Doherty.
MARCH
Horse Sport Ireland hosted a Team Ireland Equestrian owners reception for over 100 guests in Wellington, Florida on March 2nd. Elaine Hatton appointed Classic Communications as the USA PR representative company for the next 12 months.
The IHG exhibition trailer arrived to HSI and attended its first outing of the year at the Cavan national stallion parade on the 26th of the month.
Did you know…?
The Irish Horse Gateway exhibition trailer travelled almost 5,000km in 2016.
APRIL
The next show was Rolex Kentucky CCI****. The IHG team manned a trade stand, organised a course walk and autograph signings with a number of international riders partnering Irish Sport Horses.
Over 20% of the horses entered were Irish-bred at the 84,000 spectator event.
MAY
The following show was CCI**** event Badminton Horse Trials from May 4th-9th.
Badminton saw a crowd of approximately 200,000 visitors
The exhibition trailer made its way to Balmoral Show on May 11th. Elaine Hatton presented Greg Broderick and MHS Going Global (ISH) the prize of highest placed Irish-bred in the Irish Horse Gateway International as well as sponsoring the Working Hunter Pony class.
The IHG also provided three generation pedigrees for each entrant of the Goresbridge Select Sale of Eventers on the 30th of the month.
Did you know…?
The Irish Horse Gateway team travelled over 41,348Km in 2016, the same distance as a trip around the world.
JUNE
The first show of June was Tattersalls International Horse Trials from the 1st to the 5th, where IHG sponsored the main water fence on the cross-country.
The exhibition trailer was on site for the week and IHG sponsored the live stream of the event. The exhibition unit then attended the AIRC Riding Clubs Festival in Stradbally, Co. Laois.
June also saw the exhibition trailer attend the Hickstead Derby show where IHG sponsored Ring 3 throughout all Hickstead events in 2016.
Did you know...?
More than 500 Irish equestrians made over 7,000 entries in 400 international shows across 32 countries in 2016.
JULY
During the Dublin Horse Show, the HSI stand was located in the main hall and the IHG exhibition trailer in Simmonscourt. IHG organised the following:
The IHG exhibition trailer was back in Hickstead for the Longines Royal International Horse Show. Elaine Hatton hosted a South Korean student delegation at the Millstreet European Championships as part of their five-week visit.
The IHG were featured sponsors of one of the most famous polo days, the Coronation Cup Polo event in Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park.
IHG also sponsored the Irish Draught Champion of Champions at Punchestown.
Did you know…?
The Irish Horse Gateway website has 250+ active registered sellers, 600 horses listed and 180K+ unique visitors in 2016.
AUGUST
Jumping In The City took place in Shelbourne Park on the 5th of August with a Rio carnival atmosphere to celebrate the start of the Olympic Games in Rio. Greg Broderick, riding Zuidam, claimed victory in the The Underwriting Exchange Limited Grand Prix before departing for Rio the next day.
IHG sponsored the Irish Pony Society Championships in Punchestown, Co. Kildare, and the Interprovincial Nations Cup at the 93rd annual Connemara Pony Festival in Clifden, where the exhibition trailer was present.
The IHG exhibition trailer was also present at Millstreet CSI*** from August 10-14th.
IHG went on to sponsor the owners and riders marquee at Blair International Horse Trials along with a cross-country sponsored fence and trade stand for the duration of the show, in what was a busy month.
Did you know…?
Visitors to the Irish Horse Gateway website has increased by 57.14% from 2015.
SEPTEMBER
IHG was the title sponsor of the Irish Breeders Classic and also profiled the foals for sale on the IHG website. IHG compiled and provided start lists for the event. A memorandum of understanding between HSI and Kuandi International Equestrian Ltd was signed on September 3rd by Elaine Hatton, Tony Mullins and Dr Katherine Chan.
The IHG exhibition trailer made its first appearance at the 85th annual National Ploughing Championship in Tullamore, Offaly, with a record breaking attendance of 283,000 over the three days.
OCTOBER
The IHG sponsored the Small Show Hunter of the Year and an international show jumping class at the 2016 Horse of the Year Show, in addition to the international riders lounge. Success in the showing classes saw Irish-bred horses scoop 12 first places and seven championship titles.
In a new venture, the international marketing department produced three generation pedigree trees for the 360 foals in the Goresbridge October sale. This was in an effort to provide additional information to prospective buyers, and to further market the vendors’ offerings.
Did you know…?
The ISH Studbook topped the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings in eventing for the 21st time in 23 years.
The WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships took place from the 20th-24th in Le Lion d’Angers, France. IHG worked with EquiRatings for this event to produce statistics on the horses’ performances, and, with Louise O’Brien, to provide photographs of the Irish riders in action. As well as this, the Goresbridge Go For Gold sale was promoted via the inclusion of the catalogue in the riders’ packs and a sponsorship at the prize giving.
Closing up the autumn months was Irish Horse Gateway Foal Championship at the Irish Pony Society show in Tipperary Equestrian Centre.
NOVEMBER
November’s Irish Sport Social Media Review, which tracks 18 national governing bodies for sport in Ireland, ranked HSI fourth for social media engagement in the month of October.
November was a busy month for buyers and sellers alike as three elite public auctions took place in Co Wexford, each of which were promoted by the Irish Horse Gateway.
DECEMBER
Michael Doherty wrapped 2016 by giving a talk to Dubai International Thoroughbred Internships (DITI) students.
IN CONCLUSION
Each event of 2016 impacted positively on the figures of both public and private sales in Ireland, just as the mission of IHG outlined: “Connect buyers to sellers of Irish horses and ponies and promote the Irish horse and pony internationally to build upon its reputation worldwide.”