2025 National Dates
The dates are now approved and available on our website; however, the calendar is not complete, and the Board is very aware of the gaps in the South. Work continues in the background to confirm additional dates, and should anyone be aware of a new venue that would potentially run an EI event, please contact Head Office. Support will be provided in whatever manner is required to get them started.
The Board
Due to time, business and personal commitments, resignations were received in December from Ralph Conroy, Rodney O’Donnell and Michael Ryan. The Board would like to thank all three for their input and support during their respective terms.
The Board advertised for a legal person to represent us on the Board as part of the new Constitution. The Nomination Committee conducted a comprehensive recruitment process. Four applications were received.
Tara Madden was co-opted to the Board as our legal representative.
Tara has over 25 years’ experience as a barrister and specialises in corporate law and governance. She has advised clients ranging from multinational corporations to SMEs and has a varied practice. Although not eventing herself, her family is very much involved.
Donnacha Anhold was appointed as the Western Region representative. Donnacha is well known amongst the Amateur community as a competitor and, as a practicing solicitor, he brings with him a wealth of legal knowledge.
We would like to welcome both Donnacha and Tara to the Board!
Finance
Treasurer, Fleur Creed, presented the Management Accounts for 2024. Some tough decisions were made through the year which has seen Eventing Ireland make a small profit after the forecast was for a loss. The increase in Memberships and Registrations, the income received from Marketing and Sponsorship and insurance savings in 2024 have contributed to the balance sheet being turned around. The first draft of the 2025 budget was reviewed with a view to approval at the January Board meeting.
Constitution/CLG
Work is continuing with the conversion from the Registry of Friendly Societies to a CLG, however, progress is slow. A members consultation session will be scheduled in the New Year to discuss.
Risk Register
The two agenda items this month were Insolvency and Board Skillset
Insolvency – Now that the finances have been turned around for 2024, this is less of a concern. However, once the draft Balance Sheet is available in January, the Board will review its reserve policy.
Board Skillsets – On the basis that the Board is responsible for risk and strategy and considering the shaky finances of 2023 coming into 2024 it was agreed that the next skillset recruited to the Board would be that of commercial/marketing/sponsorship/fundraising. To maintain gender balance (40%) this position should ideally be female.
Horse Sport Ireland
The relationship between HSI and EI remains strained. Now that the Olympic year is over and 2025 brings us into a new cycle, EI has conveyed to HSI that it will not cooperate into the New Year without a written agreement between the two organisations with clear, agreeable roles of who is responsible for what.
The Board would like to wish all our members, supporters and organisers a very Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all back out eventing shortly
