Image Credit: UCDPatrick Wall has been appointed as the new Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland following his nomination by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar.
Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin, and is qualified both as a veterinary surgeon and a medical doctor.
He is the former head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and a former Chairman of the European Food Safety Authority.
He was co-author of the 2010 UCD report on Horse Welfare in Ireland commissioned by World Horse Welfare. He is a co-director of the UCD/Redmills Advanced Certificate in Applied Equine Husbandry, a new course developed for individuals from the fledging Chinese sports horse industry.
All in all he brings an impressive range of administrative and academic experience to the post in what are likely to be challenging times.
Horse Sport Ireland covers Show Jumping, eventing, dressage and modern pentathlon and is a key player in the breeding arena where Ireland is a leader on a world stage.
Show jumping recently secured major sponsorship from Saudi Arabia which will lead to a significant step up in visibility.
On the other side Modern Pentathlon is believed to be in some danger of being dropped from the Olympic roster of events post 2016 with a decision on events to be taken this year.  It is understood one current sport will be voted on separately by the IOC as to whether it remains in place.  International rumour suggests that cycling and Modern Pentathlon are two sports, for different reasons that may have to fight for their place.
“Patrick Wall brings a wealth of experience and expertise which will enable Horse Sport Ireland to develop further in the years ahead, building on the very solid foundation which has been laid for the organisation by outgoing Chairman Joe Walsh,” said Minister Leo Varadkar confirming the appointment yesterday.
“His previous experience as a chairman and a chief executive will be useful in this role, along with his ongoing participation in equestrian sports. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Joe for his exemplary work in bringing the different elements of equestrian sport together and his contribution to the sport,” Minister Varadkar said.
[stextbox id=”info”]
This article is free to view for a limited period.  Sign up today for a full or trial membership of Sport for Business and gain access to our full content, to a range of networking opportunities and member services, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the many leaders in business and sport that are already part of our community.
These include Accenture * KPMG * Pembroke Communications * Ulster Bank * RTE * The GAA * Wilson Hartnell PR * The Camogie Association * PwC * The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport * UCD Smurfit Business School * Platinum One and more than 20 national governing bodies in sport.
[/stextbox]
[stextbox id=”black”]Sign up for a free daily news digest and stay ahead with everything that is happening in the commercial world of Irish sport, delivered to your mail box before 8am Monday to Friday[/stextbox]