EVERYONE who has an interest in the equine business can benefit from attending a unique event in Kildare on Thursday, November 9th.

The 2017 GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech Equine Summit, which runs from 3pm to approximately 8pm in the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co Kildare, will bring together leaders from both the thoroughbred and sport horse worlds for a day of sharing information, ideas and experiences.

Conceived by GAIN Equine Nutrition and Alltech, the Equine Summit aims to highlight Ireland’s global success in competitive equine sport while asking key industry personnel for their views on how stakeholders at all levels can make further progress.

Leo Powell, Editor of The Irish Field, said: “The thoroughbred and sport horse industries generate billions in economic activity each year. The public may only be aware of the top achievers in each discipline but there is so much more to the business at all levels. The Equine Summit represents an exciting opportunity for people from both sides of the equine world to discuss areas of common concern. There is room for more collaboration between the two sides. For example, we can be more effective in influencing Government when we present our case together.

“The key message is that the Equine Summit is for everyone who has an interest in the equine industry.”

Grant Thornton and The Irish Field are also partners in this innovative day, which aims to reinforce the importance of the equine industry to the overall Irish economy from an employment, marketing and education point of view.

The impressive line-up of speakers and panellists from the racing, bloodstock and sport horse worlds includes Jim Bolger, Brian Kavanagh, Ronan Murphy, Cameron Hanley, Oliver Townend and Meta Osborne.

The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, will address attendees, as will Henry Corbally, chairman of Glanbia and Dr Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech.

The day’s main discussion is titled ‘How can we evolve, compete and lead the global equine industry, and can we collaborate to overcome the challenges?’

This will be chaired by Leo Powell and will feature Brian Kavanagh (Horse Racing Ireland), Ronan Murphy (CEO Horse Sport Ireland), Noel Cawley (Teagasc) and Meta Osborne (Turf Club).

Attendees will then have the opportunity to attend a break-out session to explore topics specific to the thoroughbred or sport horse sector.

The sport horse discussion will be themed ‘How can the Irish sport horse sector position itself in a changing market?’. It will be chaired by Suzanne Campbell, journalist, broadcaster and author. The panel includes consultant Lucinda Creighton, show jumper Cameron Hanley, Johan Knaap (KWPN stud book) and eventer Oliver Townend.

The thoroughbred breakout session will be chaired by trainer and breeder Lorna Fowler and the topic is ‘What does success look like for thoroughbred breeders, an international viewpoint?’

Participants in this session include Jim Bolger, racehorse trainer and breeder, Joe Foley of Ballyhane Stud, Richard Aston (Goldford Stud in England) and Brendan Holland (Grove Stud).

Before all of these talks, a set of equine industry statistics will be presented by Sasha Kerins of Grant Thornton.

Glanbia chairman Henry Corbally commented: “We are delighted to partner with Alltech, Grant Thornton and The Irish Field to host the Equine Summit, a unique occasion to bring together the thoroughbred and sport horse sides of the equine industry. The event reinforces GAIN’s commitment to the equine industry.”

Dr Pearse Lyons added: “The Equine Summit is set to be a fantastic occasion, bringing together leaders from different areas of the equine industry. Alltech is delighted to be supporting this gathering, which will facilitate open discussion and drive disruptive thinking for the future of the industry.”

Tickets for the event cost €55. Ticket includes VAT, booking fee, dinner and choice of breakout session.

eventbrite.ie (search equine summit)