International show jumper and breeder Edward Doyle of Naas, Co Kildare was nominated and unopposed in Region 1 and now joins the Irish Horse Board (IHB) for the first time.

He replaces Meath Veterinarian David McCann, who served two terms and did not go forward for re-election. Returning unopposed in Region 5 is Neill Henry of Ballymote. However, an election will be taking place in Munster Region 3 between incumbent Pat McCarthy who runs again and international show jumper Denis Coakley, who is running for the first time.

Ballots are already on their way to members in this region to determine who will represent them along with sitting member Elizabeth Deane.

Edward Doyle comes from one of Ireland’s best known equestrian families. Both he and his brother Jack have jumped at top international events and were together on an Aga Khan team. Edward and his wife Katherine have twice received Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) awards for their breeding of World Cup starring stallion Flexible.

CURRENT BOARD

On the current board he will be joining fellow international show jumper Marion Hughes of Kilkenny, Helen Kelly who is also from Region 1, Alex Deon and Kathleen Gielty-Cunney from Region 4 along with John Coogan and Neil Henry of Region 5. The Munster Region 3 is represented by Elizabeth Deane and the second member from that region will be announced around the time of the Dublin Horse Show. The ballot is between Pat McCarthy and show jumper Denis Coakley, who once rode the stallion OBOS Quality.

Surprise has been expressed at the fact that so few candidates have come forward in all three regions. Some have blamed the uncertainty about the board’s future pending the outcome of the Indecon, UCD and Jim Power reports.

Former Chairman of the board Jim Beecher, who was government appointed, is currently serving as acting Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland. Taking over for him in the IHB chair has been another Ministerial appointee Dr. Jack Murphy.

INDECON RECOMMENDATIONS

The recently published Indecon Report recommended that the IHB be treated “impartially as an affiliate of HSI” and that the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Stud Books should be transferred to it.

The report also calls for benchmarking of the mare herd, a colt retention scheme and the introduction of well funded mare and stallion competitions. The new CEO of Horse Sport Ireland Ronan Murphy will not take office until next month. Meanwhile, a new Chairman to replace Dr Pat Wall has yet to be appointed by the government which provides two thirds of HSI’s funding.