HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has announced the appointment of Avalon Everett as Chief Operations Officer (COO). She previously held the role of Head of Sport, Legal and Governance.

Everett will also continue in her role as General Counsel, reflecting over a decade of senior leadership across the organisation’s legal, regulatory, and operational functions. As part of the executive restructure, HSI will shortly begin recruitment for a new Head of Performance and Coaching, who will report to the COO and lead the continued development of Ireland’s Olympic and performance pathways.

A press release from HSI said she has played a central role in shaping HSI’s development through successive Olympic cycles, governance reforms, and structural realignment. “Her appointment as COO reflects the leadership she has delivered across high-performance sport, legal affairs, policy, and programme management.”

Announcing the appointment HSI CEO, Denis Duggan, said: “I am delighted that Avalon Everett has been appointed as our Chief Operating Officer at Horse Sport Ireland with immediate effect. Avalon has been an invaluable member of our team over 10 years, contributing exceptional expertise especially in key areas of governance, legal affairs as well as her stewardship of our extremely successful high-performance programmes. Her deep understanding of our organisation and equestrian sport, combined with her strategic mindset and dedication to the values and purpose of HSI, make her the perfect choice to lead our operations forward.”

Speaking on her appointment, Everett said: “I’m honoured to continue serving Horse Sport Ireland in this expanded capacity. I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding people across the sport and, in particular, I want to thank my colleagues past and present, whose support, dedication, and integrity have meant a great deal to me.

“I’m also grateful to the athletes, owners, breeders, and stakeholders who continue to shape and strengthen our sport. HSI is a unique organisation, the only federation globally with both breeding and sport under one roof, which gives us a powerful platform to support Irish equestrianism at every level. I look forward to continuing to support the systems, meaningful relationships, and programmes that help the sport thrive.”

As COO, Everett assumes executive responsibility for the delivery and coordination of HSI’s operations across high performance, recreation, coaching, corporate affairs, registrations and communications.

Everett has held responsibility for the oversight and delivery of HSI’s High Performance programmes, led HSI’s response to the Indecon Review and, as General Counsel, she leads on legal, regulatory, and governance matters, and provides legal oversight of all business units within the organisation. Everett previously served as Chief Risk Officer until 2024.