The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D today announced the appointment of Joe Reynolds as the Chair of the Board of Horse Sport Ireland, replacing Jim Beecher who held the position on an interim basis since February 2017.

His appointment follows on from the Review of Horse Sport Ireland by Indecon, where proposals to rationalise the board were undertaken and the process will conclude shortly with the appointment of a further three board members.

A highly successful businessman, sport horse breeder and racehorse owner, Reynolds joined the Board of Horse Sport Ireland in 2016 and has played a key role in supporting the significant change programme currently being implemented following the Indecon report.

Reynolds is also a member of Horse Sport Ireland’s Finance, HR and Commercial Committee and Dressage and Para Dressage High Performance Committee. He was elected chairman of Dressage Ireland in August 2016.

Commenting on Joe Reynolds’ appointment, Minister Creed said: “I am very pleased that Joe has agreed to take on the challenge of chairing the new Board of Horse Sport Ireland. His extensive experience in the equine sector makes him an ideal Chair to provide strategic leadership and continue the implementations recommended by Indecon to expand employment and create the maximum contribution to the Irish economy.”

Minister Ross added: “I would like to congratulate Joe Reynolds on his appointment as the new Chair of the Board of Horse Sport Ireland. Joe has a long association with equestrian sports and was selected after a very comprehensive and thorough interview process. I have no doubt that Joe will bring years of knowledge and experience to the job and his appointment is also timely with the FEI World Equestrian Games due to get underway in North Carolina next week.”

EXCITING STAGE

Speaking after the appointment was announced, Joe Reynolds said: “I am delighted to take up the position of Chairman in an organisation which I have been involved with for many years. Exceptional strides have been made on the Indecon recommendations, within Horse Sport Ireland, over the past 12 months and we are now at a very exciting stage. I am very much looking forward to continuing that good work with the management team.”

Horse Sport Ireland CEO, Ronan Murphy said: “I would especially like to welcome Joe to the important role of Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland at this exciting time in the Sport Horse Sector in Ireland. I have worked with Joe over the past year on the Board of Horse Sport Ireland and on a number of Committees and we are very fortunate to have someone with his in-depth corporate and sector knowledge, enthusiasm and experience chairing the new Board.

“We are looking forward to continuing to restructure Horse Sport Ireland, drive progress and to provide a platform for the Sport Horse Industry to realise its full potential. I would also like to acknowledge the significant contribution and support of our previous interim Chairman, Jim Beecher, over the past 18 months and to wish him well for the future.

Reynolds is expected to take up his position as Horse Sport Ireland Chairman immediately.