Equine sport in Ireland is one of the most lucrative elements of the economy, worth millions annually and employing thousands of people. Horse breeding, competitions and leisure are key components of the industry.

Ireland has an international reputation as an expert leader in the equestrian world. Irish equine companies also supply products and services across the spectrum from nutrition, biotech and engineering to equipment, apparel and medicines.

There are many potential job opportunities for those hoping to pursue a career working with horses in the Leisure, Sport & Fitness sector.

Equine Sport has two distinct branches Horse Racing and Sport Horse, and Ireland enjoys an international reputation as an expert leader in both.

Horse Racing

Racing is the second best attended sport in Ireland after GAA, with typically over 1.3 million attendees at the 356 fixtures held each year and this figure doesn’t include the 100,000 people who attend the100 point-to-point meetings each year.

What types of jobs are there?

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is the national authority for thoroughbred racing in Ireland, with responsibility for the governance, development and promotion of the industry. HRI represents Ireland on international racing bodies including the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the European and Mediterranean Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the European Pattern Committee.

Sport Horse

Sport Horse includes both the

• Competition sector - Dressage, Eventing and Show Jumping and the
• Leisure sector - riding establishments, hunting, showing, riding and pony clubs

In 2016 there were 15 international equestrian events held in Ireland, of those the largest was the RDS Dublin Horse Show.

Horse Sport Ireland is the national governing body for Equestrian Horse in Ireland and is composed of 15 Irish affiliate bodies, representing all facets of equestrian sport, and is also responsible for liaison with the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the National Coaching and Training centre, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, and other government agencies.

The current Olympic equestrian disciplines are Dressage, Eventing, and Jumping. All Irish teams competing in FEI international competitions do so as part of Team Ireland Equestrian. Team Ireland Equestrian encompasses the eight FEI disciplines of showjumping, eventing, dressage, para-equestrian, carriage driving, endurance, reining and vaulting, and includes all senior teams and all underage teams.

Riding Schools

Riding schools provide lessons for all levels and horses suitable for beginners to experimented riders. They also organise events and competitions. The standards at riding schools and equestrian centres are regulated by the Association of Irish Riding Establishments (AIRE), which is responsible for the inspection and registration of horse riding schools and establishments in Ireland.

Equestrian Tourism Sector

The equestrian tourism industry is continuing to grow in popularity and provides a great opportunity for those individuals who want to combine their passion for horses with working in the leisure industry

What types of jobs are there?

Equine Sport supports jobs across a range of skillsets and interests, including administration, animal care, marketing, and sport.

• The business of horse racing demands professionals who can support the planning, organisation, marketing, and management of horse racing events. Each race day is a complex operation and the organisation of the sport as a whole is a yearlong job.

• The Sport Horse sector of the horse industry provides job opportunities across four components; equestrian centres, recreation; showing and hunting.

There are then the jobs available in the Animal & Veterinary Science Sector for example training, stabling and care of horses, including Stud Hands and Grooms and specialist professions, such as Bloodstock Agents, who are responsible for purchasing horses for racing and breeding and Racehorse Trainers, who train thoroughbred horses to win races.

Some examples of key job titles include:

• Professional Jockey – can be a tough but rewarding full time career in a highly competitive sporting industry. Jockey’s begin their careers being employed by a racehorse trainer as an apprentice jockey, before going on to be self-employed.
• Riding Instructor - trains and instructs people to ride and care for ponies and horses at a stables.
• Groom – Horse grooms look after horses' everyday needs, and make sure they're healthy and in good condition. Duties of a Racing Groom include grooming, feeding, walking and attending the races or competitions ensuring that they are looked after.

Did you know?

There are over twenty educational institutes offering students the opportunity to study everything from Equine Care and Management right through to Veterinary Science.

Graduates of these courses have gone on to hold positions at the top of their profession all over the world. Many have progressed to the highest level as Jockeys, Trainers, Stud Managers, Vets, Bloodstock Agents, Auctioneers, Media personalities and Insurance brokers.

Every year we welcome International students wishing to enhance their knowledge and experience.

While some of the courses offered are based on obtaining a University Degree, not all courses are completely classroom based, with scholarships and apprenticeships also available.

Did you know?

The Irish Army Equitation School was first founded in 1926 and the school designed and developed a coaching and training system that has since been adopted as the National Coaching and Training Syllabi for the sport horse industry. This coaching system is accepted as the international standard and is used World-wide by the Federation Equestrian International (F.E.I.). Similarly, the Equitation School’s training syllabus for grooms has been adopted by H.S.I as the National Standard.