HORSE Sport Ireland has announced that the Irish Quarter Horse Association (IQHA) has affiliated to the Reining and Western Section of Horse Sport Ireland. HSI and the IQHA will work closely together to promote the sport of western riding in Ireland.

Chairman of the Reining and Western Section Declan McArdle has stated: “I am delighted with the affiliation of the IQHA with the Reining and Western section. The sport is growing in popularity here in Ireland and with the two bodies now working more closely together this will only aid in developing and promoting the sport further.”

Chairman of The Irish Quarter Horse Association, Ron Weisz, said that he " is looking forward to working with the Reining and Western Section of Horse Sport Ireland in 2012 following the unanimous agreement by the board to join the section. The HSI Reining and Western Section and the Irish Quarter Horse Association have already successfully worked together this past year on several events including the National Show."

For further information about the Reining and Western Riding section please refer to the Horse Sport Ireland website under the Reining and Western Section. Please see further information on the IQHA website on www.iqha.ie

Picture shows John McDonnell, an IQHA member competing at the National Western Show in 2011. Picture by Jennifer O'Sullivan