2022 NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Officers of the Traditional Irish Horse Association:
President:
Hugh Leonard
Vice President:
William Micklem
Chairman: Kevin Noone chair@traditionalirishhorseassociation.ie
Vice Chair: Chris Ryan
Secretary: Louise Leonard secretary@traditionalirishhorseassociation.ie
+353 87 069 7725
Treasurer: Jim Cooke treasurer@traditionalirishhorseassociation.ie
National Committee Members:
John Watson
Louise Leonard
Jennifer Haverty
Joan Bateman
Liam Lynskey
Victoria Teuton
Samantha Fitzsimons
Michael MacEwan
Niamh Grimes
Who we are
In 2012 the Traditional Irish Horse Association (TIHA) was founded by the present National Council. It was established as a Limited Company and operates on a non-profit making basis. Most members of our National Council are breeders as are many of our 600+ members. In recent decades there has been a reduction in the number of Traditional Irish Horses being bred, and in the number performing at the highest levels of showjumping and eventing. Many good young TIH mares have been sold for export rather than retained for breeding and genetic diversity is an issue in the TIH stallion roster. Access to the global stallion market has provided both opportunities and challenges for TIH mare and stallion owners and significant changes to the sports of showjumping and eventing have occurred in recent decades.
A combination of these factors has led to the reduced presence of the TIH in the Irish Sport Horse population and at the highest levels of showjumping and eventing. The Traditional Irish Horse Association was founded to raise awareness of the TIH nationally and internationally, to ensure it’s recognition and identification within the Irish Sport Horse studbook and to improve the standard of its breeding and production.
Based on its research, TIHA has concluded that addressing the breeding issues through a national breed development plan will improve the breed and produce economic and cultural benefits for Ireland. By collaborating with stakeholders throughout Ireland and abroad, TIHA will use its’ passion and advocacy to help breeders conserve and develop the original, classic, Traditional Irish Horse in order to secure its future availability for all its markets. Your support can make a difference.
TIHA understands the need for breeders to be commercial in their breeding choices and to develop their own breeding programmes. TIHA believe the TIH still has a valuable role to play in Irish sport horse breeding and would ask breeders to consider this option along with all others. A real benefit is to be gained by working in partnership with us to ensure positive industry outcomes for the future of all sectors of the Irish Horse industry. It is of benefit to all breeders and the industry to see “choice" in the equestrian marketplace: variety and choice should include the Traditional Irish Horse. TIHA greatly look forward to working together with our colleagues in the industry to improve a unique Irish equine product. By working with all stakeholders including breeders, partners, investors, agents, sponsors, riders and advocates we will make this strategic vision something of which we can all be proud.
Our Vision
TIHAs’ vision is to gain broader recognition of the importance of Traditional Irish bloodlines in Irish Sport Horse breeding and in the equestrian marketplace. Our immediate strategy is to ensure the conservation and improvement of TIH bloodlines through the development of a National Breeding Plan and to support responsible TIH breeding and improved production for all its’ markets. It aims to promote and enhance the reputation of the Traditional Irish Horse as a performance, amateur and leisure horse of quality and distinction and ensure its’ availability for future markets and generations.
Our Mission
The mission of the Traditional Irish Horse Associations is to conserve and develop our traditional bloodlines so that the unique Traditional Irish Horse remains part of the global equestrian industry at all levels. We will ensure the breeding of the Traditional Irish Horse continues as an integral part of the Irish Sport Horse industry and will support TIH breeders through research, education and promotion of the breed and through our breeding development plans.
Our Vision & Mission
Freedom to breed
TIHA understands the need for breeders to be commercial in their breeding choices and to develop their own breeding programmes. TIHA believe the TIH still has a valuable role to play in Irish sport horse breeding and would ask breeders to consider this option along with all others.
A real benefit is to be gained by working in partnership with us to ensure positive industry outcomes for the future of all sectors of the Irish Horse industry. It is of benefit to all breeders and the industry to see “choice" in the equestrian marketplace: variety and choice should include the Traditional Irish Horse.
TIHA greatly look forward to working together with our colleagues in the industry to improve a unique Irish equine product. By working with all stakeholders including breeders, partners, investors, agents, sponsors, riders and advocates we will make this strategic vision something of which we can all be proud.
TIHA understands the need for breeders to be commercial in their breeding choices and to develop their own breeding programmes. TIHA believe the TIH still has a valuable role to play in Irish sport horse breeding and would ask breeders to consider this option along with all others. A real benefit is to be gained by working in partnership with us to ensure positive industry outcomes for the future of all sectors of the Irish Horse industry. It is of benefit to all breeders and the industry to see “choice" in the equestrian marketplace: variety and choice should include the Traditional Irish Horse. TIHA greatly look forward to working together with our colleagues in the industry to improve a unique Irish equine product. By working with all stakeholders including breeders, partners, investors, agents, sponsors, riders and advocates we will make this strategic vision something of which we can all be proud.
National Breeding Plan
The TIHA is developing a National Breeding Plan. This plan will involve a targeted and pioneering approach and will be focused initially on the conservation and development of a quality nucleus stock of traditional mares and stallions with performance bloodlines of high genetic merit. Its aim is to identify, conserve and improve the Traditional Irish Horse population.
The key strategy of our breeding plan is to conserve the remaining top quality genetics of the TIH population by the implementation of a planned breeding programme along with an intended filly and colt retention scheme. Coupled with a higher standard of breeding and production, it is the intention of the TIHA, through its policies, to increase the market value of traditional Irish stock for the home and export markets.
This will ensure that Ireland will continue to be the ‘go to ‘place for sourcing the renowned Traditional Irish Horse whose unique characteristics set them apart from other equines on the world stage.
The Breeding Plan programmes will aim to ensure retention of the very best mares at home, in order to nurture and develop the highly valued export market for their progeny. At all times this plan will be measured, monitored and market driven. It will take into consideration changing market trends so that Traditional Irish Horse breeding and production can evolve and develop continuously. The aim is to ensure timely progress in delivering a high-quality equine product which is relevant and desirable in the prevailing market conditions.
We will be updating our members and supporters on the developments as we make progress. If you would like to become a sponsor of such a programme or get involved please contact info@traditionalirishhorse.ie
TIHA understands the need for breeders to be commercial in their breeding choices and to develop their own breeding programmes. TIHA believe the TIH still has a valuable role to play in Irish sport horse breeding and would ask breeders to consider this option along with all others. A real benefit is to be gained by working in partnership with us to ensure positive industry outcomes for the future of all sectors of the Irish Horse industry. It is of benefit to all breeders and the industry to see “choice" in the equestrian marketplace: variety and choice should include the Traditional Irish Horse. TIHA greatly look forward to working together with our colleagues in the industry to improve a unique Irish equine product. By working with all stakeholders including breeders, partners, investors, agents, sponsors, riders and advocates we will make this strategic vision something of which we can all be proud.
