Patrick Wall has been appointed as the new Chairman of Horse Sport Ireland following his nomination by Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar.
Patrick Wall is Professor of Public Health at University College Dublin, and is qualified both as a veterinary surgeon and a medical doctor. He was nominated by Minister Varadkar, in consultation with the Minister for Agriculture, Food & the Marine Simon Coveney, and with Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring, and appointed by the board of directors of Horse Sport Ireland today.
“Patrick Wall brings a wealth of experience and expertise which will enable Horse Sport Ireland to develop further in the years ahead, building on the very solid foundation which has been laid for the organisation by outgoing Chairman Joe Walsh. His previous experience as a chairman and a chief executive will be useful in this role, along with his ongoing participation in equestrian sports. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Joe for his exemplary work in bringing the different elements of equestrian sport together and his contribution to the sport,” Minister Varadkar said.
Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring said: ‘This appointment marks the start of a new era for equestrian sport in Ireland. Patrick Wall is the ideal candidate for this position, and I look forward to working with him in the future’.
Patrick Wall is qualified as both a veterinary surgeon and a medical doctor and is presently a Professor of Public Health in University College Dublin. He was co-author of the 2010 UCD report on Horse Welfare in Ireland commissioned by World Horse Welfare. He is a co-director of the UCD/Redmills Advanced Certificate in Applied Equine Husbandry, a new course developed for individuals from the fledging Chinese sports horse industry. He is the former head of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and a former Chairman of the European Food Safety Authority.
A keen horseman, Dr Wall has shown and judged young horses, produced riding horses for the Ridden Hunter classes, participated in hunter trials and one-day-event competitions, and ridden in Point-to-Points. During the past couple of years, Dr Wall led the RDS Breeding Group appointed to investigate the lack of success of Irish-bred horses at the top end of showjumping competition.