The Kildare Horse Development Company was established in 1997 and set up as a cooperative venture by all interested parties in the equine industry in Kildare (i.e. Breeders, Trainers, Sport Horse/Riding Establishments and Support institutions for the horse in Kildare). A permanent office opened its door in March 1998 with the appointment of Shane Dolan as Business Development Executive. Its function is to act as an umbrella group to market and promote the equine sector and establish Kildare as a centre of excellence for all things equestrian.
The Kildare Horse Development Company is an non-profit company, which is funded by it's foundations sponsors, Goffs, Weatherbys Ireland, The Irish Turf Club, The Curragh Racecourse, R.A.C.E., Naas Racecourse, The Irish National Stud, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Punchestown Racecourse and The Kildare Community Network. Each sector of the equine industry of Kildare is represented by the Board of Directors.
The office has been successful in securing significant funding from the industry and also grant aid from KELT (Kildare European Leader 11 Teoranta). It has also secured agreement from the Kildare County Council to adopt the image of the Thoroughbred as the official County logo.
The Kildare Horse Development Company is now proceeding with the implementation of a branding, tourism and equestrian plan.
The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy T.D. unveiled a new identity for Kildare on November 15, 1999. The event held at The K Club in Straffan, Co. Kildare marked the official adoption of the horse as the symbol for Kildare.
The company gained its presence on the Internet in January 2000 with the launch of it's new website www.kildarehorse.ie. This site was designed to act as a shop window for Kildare's Horse Industry, incorporating Racecourses, Stud farms, Trainers and Equestrian Centres in the County. The site has proved to be extremely popular both nationally and internationally recording 50,000 page requests last year alone. In recent months the company has broadened its base to incorporate an Ancillary Services section, allowing Auctioneers, Bloodstock Agents, Saddlers, Insurance, Transportation etc. to name but a few, reap the benefits of a busy internet site.
The company established credibility and respect in its dealings with other bodies in the county. Its daily representation at the Kilcock Incinerator hearing was noted in National media and views were sought on behalf of the horse industry Re: The Dunstown Wood Power Station.
In May 2000 Ms. Janet Creighton was appointed as the new Business Development Executive. Janet graduated from Carlow Institute of Technology with an Honours Degree in Marketing. Being a native of Kill, Co. Kildare Janet has always had a very keen interest and association with the equine industry, and has competed on the national Show Jumping circuit. After spending two years with Emerald Bloodstock where she managed the Insurance Department she then moved to Australia to work for Logan Livestock Insurance. Janet returned home in April 2000 to take up her new role in The Kildare Horse Development Company.
The Kildare Horse Development Company has been forging strong links with Kildare's Twinning regions, Lexington and Deauville. The first twinning race, Prix De Punchestown, was held at Clairefontaine on July 31st 2000 and a reciprocal race will be staged on home turf during the National Hunt Festival at Punchestown, 2001. " We aim to attract both French trained horses and visitors to the country," said Charles Murless who led the delegation to France.
With support from Kildare County Council and KELT, the Company launched the new Tourist road signs which bear the logo, "Kildare The Thoroughbred County". Over 250 of these signs have been erected throughout the county. It has also been agreed that any old signs, which need to be replaced, or any new signs being erected, will also bear the logo.
The Kildare Horse News is the Company's free bi-monthly newsletter, which consists of an average 16 pages and is distributed to over 2,500 people in the county, nationally and overseas.
January 2001 saw the launch of independent research carried out by Lansdowne Market Research. "We have successfully launched and tested a visual identity and slogan which will be of lasting benefit for the development of county Kildare as a whole" according to Michael O'Rourke, chairman of The Kildare Horse Development Company. Encouragingly, the poll shows that over 70% of people in Kildare associate the county with the phrase "The Thoroughbred County".
Michael O'Rourke added: "When Minister Charlie McCreevy launched this initiative, the company promised to carry out independent research to measure the impact of the brand. We are delighted to find that it has achieved widespread recognition and acceptance in Kildare in such a short space of time. The Thoroughbred County makes a unique statement about a county that is unique, and the research shows that Kildare people are proud of their association with the horse and value its potential to add many other benefits to the life of the community.
In April 2001 the company published a Children's Equine Educational Colouring Book which they will be distributing among primary school children in the county. This book will educate Kildare's future generations about the importance of the horse industry to the county and will provide, in a fun way, a good knowledge of the world of horses.
The Irish Lincolnshire opened the flat season at the Curragh Racecouse this year. The feature race 'The Thoroughbred County Irish Lincolnshire' was won by Kildare trainer DK Weld and owner Mrs Weld. Chairman of Kildare County Council - Rainsford Hendy made the winning presentation.
The Kildare Horse Development Company organised its first ever 'Thoroughbred County Golf Classic' which was held at Naas Golf Club on 20-6-2001. A total of 28 teams teed off with a futher 22 organisations / company's sponsoring the event. The day proved to be a great success with both excelent weather conditions and fantastic food and prizes. Councilor Rainsford Hendy made all the presentstions. It is hoped that this event will continue for many years to come. All proceeds will be used to help support the Kildare Thoroughbred County branding campaign.
The Kildare Horse Development Company organised the first ever 'Kildare The Thoroughbred County Private Charity Sweepstakes' which took place on Sunday the 14th October 2001 at the Curragh Racecourse. A total of 13 riders competed each having to raise a minimum of £750.
The results were as follows:
| Position | Rider | Horse | Trainer |
| 1st | Brendan Sheridan | Moving On Up | D K Weld |
| 2nd | Enda Kelly | Kaldan Khan | A. P O'Brien |
| 3rd | Paddy Graffin | Killultagh Storm | Willie Mullins |
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario