HSI appoints new Pony Eventing Team Manager

HORSE Sport Ireland has announced that Olivia ‘Polly’ Holohan has been appointed as Team Manager of Ireland’s Pony Eventing team.

The appointment was confirmed at Tuesday’s Horse Sport Ireland Board meeting following an interview process.

Polly Holohan will replace Sue Shortt, who stepped down at the end of 2013 to take up a position as Team Manager for the Yulong Shanxi Province eventing team in China.

Polly Holohan competed at the highest level in eventing, taking part in a number of four star events as well as at European, World and Olympic level. Polly represented Ireland at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona with her horse Rusticus.

In 1991 Polly won a team silver medal at the European Championships in Punchestown and placed eighth individually.

Since retiring as a rider Polly has been training riders and producing young horses. She holds a Horse Sport Ireland Level One Coaching qualification and is currently completing the Level Two programme.

Sue Smallman will remain as Dressage Coach for the Pony eventers, with Tom Slattery continuing as Show Jumping Coach.

Speaking after her appointment Ms. Holohan said: “I was honoured to be offered this important role. I am looking forward to putting something back into the sport of eventing which has given me so much pleasure. The Pony Eventing High Performance Programme has been very successful in recent years and I am looking forward to working with Sue and Tom to keep it progressing.”

HSI Equestrian Sport Co-ordinator Triona Connors said that there had been a very strong field of candidates for the position.

“We were delighted with the quality of the candidates interested in the position. Polly has a huge amount of experience and we are delighted to welcome her on board,” she said.