A new body to oversee endurance riding in Ireland has been created following a meeting (Friday 9 September) of Ireland’s top endurance riders.
Endurance Ireland will work to promote the sport and develop a calendar of events for both competitive riding and training in 2012.
The body has written to Horse Sport Ireland with a view to becoming a section of the organisation.
Ireland has not competed at a World or European championship in endurance riding since 2006.
An elected committee of Yvonne Croke, (chairperson) Anne Kinsella, (treasurer and health and safety officer) Patrick Miller (assistant treasurer) and Karen Kiely, (secretary and press officer) has been formed.
Spokesperson for Endurance Ireland Karen Kiely said: “The positive response to our formation from endurance riders in Ireland and abroad since the launch on Saturday 17 September, has confirmed to us the need for the new group.
“In the coming months, apart from our negotiations with Horse Sport Ireland, we will be concentrating on securing funding, promoting the sport to a wider audience, building up our membership base and preparing for the 2012 competitive season.
“Ireland is very fortunate to have a significant number of talented riders and horses capable of competing at the highest levels in the world given the right opportunity.
“The formation of this committee is part of a process of ensuring Ireland’s participation at the World Endurance Championships at Euston Park in 2012 and at the World Equestrian Games at Normandy in 2014.
A new website for the body, www.enduranceireland.ie, will launch in the middle of October 2011.
