The Equine industry is a major contributor to the Irish economy and has an enviable global reputation for both our Racehorses and Sport horses. Socially and culturally significant, it is part of the fabric of our rural communities, delivering thousands of diverse jobs. The main sectors of racing, breeding and equestrian sports are found in every county in Ireland.
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is the governing body for equestrian sport. This comprises the leisure sector with riding establishments, hunting, showing, riding and pony clubs, and the competition sector with dressage, eventing and show jumping. The HSI maintains the Irish horse register. The studbook for Irish sport horses has existed since 1979 with Irish-foaled horses being exported throughout the world.
Horse Racing Ireland has a world-class reputation with Ireland known as the “Land of the Horse”. Behind the sport of horse racing is an industry of horse breeders who produce the largest number of thoroughbreds in Europe. Irish trained horses consistently win prestigious international horse races. Apart from horse breeders, one racehorse generates numerous other jobs as shown below.
Whether leisure, sport or breeding the equine industry offers you excellent career options. Opportunities exist in Ireland, UK, USA/Canada, Australia, the Middle East with China a growing marketplace. You can work in diverse environments such as equestrian centres, training or racing yards, stud farms, riding stables, in equestrian tourism or have a combination of practical and office-based work.
There are also a great variety of opportunities in equine companies that support the industry. These include transport, insurance, marketing, media & broadcasting, manufacture and supply of nutritional feed supplements, biotech, equestrian apparel, equipment and supplies.
A wide range of Courses are available at different levels from Apprenticeships to university degrees covering everything from Equine Care, Horsemanship, Breeding, Equine Business Management, Stud Management, Equine Science and Veterinary Medicine.
You may be interested in combining your passion for horses with working in the Tourism sector. Thousands attend Galway Races, Irish Derby Festival, Punchestown Festival and Tramore August Festival. These race meetings and tourist attractions such as the Irish National Stud, Dublin Horse Show and Equestrian holidays all require marketing, hospitality and management staff. The growing equine tourism sector gives you the opportunity to meet interesting people in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same,
From people of all ages learning to ride, to those taking part in competitions, through to professional racing events, the equestrian community is vast and exciting.
Hear from people who work in the Equine industry here, learn more about a career in Horse Racing or how to apply to the Army Equitation School.
