A couple of weeks back we had a cracking interview with Ella Thomas the team manager for the Irish Quarter Horse Association Youth World Cup Team. It was a surreal chat, an eye-opening chat and one that got us excited.

It got us thinking… we didn’t know too much about the IQHA, their goals and what they were trying to achieve. Like we said, Ella opened our eyes on the interview but we wanted to know more. We felt if we didn’t know enough, the grassroots community was most likely the same. So we reached out and asked them to do a special feature so we could get to know the association and its people a bit better.

And here it is. We went deep on this one but it is a cracker of an interview.

What inspired the founding of the Irish Quarter Horse Association? 

Initially, the IQHA was established as far back as 1995 by a small group of quarter horse and western riding enthusiasts. It first became an affiliate of the AQHA in 2000. 

The first quarter horses in Ireland were brought in from Switzerland by the Hein Family in Co Offaly, and then Sandro Garavelli imported quarter horses from the US.  

How has the organisation evolved over the years? From where it started to where it is now.

As with any organisation, the IQHA has had its ups and downs. Covid created a major challenge, however this enabled the IQHA leadership to take the time to review its programs and create new innovative programs, add some diversity which includes putting the famous F word back into training and competition — FUN.

What are the primary goals of the Irish Quarter Horse Association?

The primary goals of the Irish Quarter Horse Association are to promote the American Quarter Horse in Ireland. To promote a modern understanding of the horse that teaches competency, awareness, added purpose in changing times with horse welfare, health, and safety a priority.

How does the association support and promote the Quarter Horse breed in Ireland?

Mainly through our educational and promotional programs with the support of the AQHA and HSI. We will eventually establish a breeding program and stud book that would come under the AQHA mother stud book and register. The IQHA have already applied for the AQHA Quality Samples Program (QSP).

Recipient mares must be AQHA-registered Quarter Horses or Weatherby-registered Thoroughbreds. This will only be available to members of IQHA with a current AQHA membership.

Can you tell us about some of the notable accomplishments of the association in recent years?

2012 IQHA sent a team to the AQHA Youth World Cup College Station Texas achieving a sliver and two bronze medals. IQHA member Bernard O’Sullivan qualified and competed in reining at WEG Tryon 2018, riding an American Quarter Horse called “This Guns for Nick”. 

The IQHA have developed an instructors’ matrix and syllabus recognised by HSI. We now have a seat on two advisory Councils seat of HSI. Coaching and Educational and Sport and Recreational.

Tell us a little bit about the youth team you are sending to the world cup in Texas? – How are you all feeling about it?

This is a huge undertaking but with the increased youth membership and their ability we are sending 7 lovely young ladies to the World Cup this year. For some, it will be their first time showing on this scale and internationally, so it is definitely a plunge into the deep end. However, with support from IQHA and AQHA professionals in the US, their coach Marleen and manager Ella, we know they will try their best and more importantly, have fun and learn a lot. 

How do you plan and prepare for a world cup trip like this as an association?

Preparation started last year, and even that wasn’t soon enough! We started by hosting team try outs where riders had to come and ride patterns in front of our instructors. They were scored as they would have been in a show, and these scores helped us to form a squad. The selection of the riding element was then left to, Marleen Rutten Level 3 IQHA instructor, in her capacity as coach. This selection was then ratified by the board of directors. The squad comprises of 7 people with 5 riding members and two reserves. The reserves will join the AQHA Leadership Program hosted by AQHYA at the YWC 2023 College Station Texas. Which is part of the A&M Texas University. 

What types of other events and competitions does the association organise?

We regularly host what we call Clinics. These can range from half a day to two-day events where riders will go through a mix of groundwork and ridden work. These clinics are hosted by our own instructors here in Ireland and AQHA professionals. So far this year we have had one with award winning author and International clinician, Bob Mayhew (from the UK) running a Judging seminar for instructors as part of the IQHA continual professional development (CPD) and in May we welcome back Marylin Randall, an AQHA Professional, and esteemed AQHA International judge, from Montana. In July we welcome and new AQHA Professional Ms Tammy Greaves from the UK to present across discipline clinic open to mainstream and western enthusiasts. Tammy has a proven record as a competitor with AQHA European titles and a proven record in coaching. 

We also host Outreach Clinics  –Participation Outreach Educational Program or POEP for short –where our instructors will visit riding schools/private yards to do a free clinic to introduce people to the basics of western inspired horsemanship. We have several other programs also in development. 

As I mentioned before, this year we will host our national championship again, where we will have classes for both mainstream and western riders. 

Can you share some success stories of members who have achieved recognition through the association’s programs?

Successfully being affiliated with our National Federation Horse Sport Ireland and of course the World’s largest breeds register AQHA American Quarter Horse Association are major achievements.

Being able to send a squad of youth to compete at the Youth World Cup in 2012 and again this year. 

As I mentioned before, IQHA member Bernard O Sullivan competed at WEG Tryon in 2018.

How does the association support youth involvement in the Quarter Horse industry?

Every youth member is also a member of the AQHYA (American Quarter Horse Youth Association). This enables them to be part of AQHYA International programs along with any HSI youth initiatives. Youth members can also compete at any AQHA International events such as the European Championships, and the AQHA Youth World Shows. These events are cross discipline not exclusively western.

Keeping FUN in the learning process and pathway is equally key.

Can you share any plans or initiatives that the association has in the works?

We really want to spread the message that western inspired horsemanship is for everyone. That everyone – no matter the discipline – can benefit from have a willingly guided horse. 

We also want to focus on making horses more accessible to people through our programs. We want to work with disadvantaged communities and bring the joy of horsemanship to them. Building on this, we want to create employment opportunities for people in the equine industry by focusing on education and creating, safe competent horsemen and women.  

You can find out more by visiting the “Programs” dropdown on our website. 

What is the process for becoming a member of the Irish Quarter Horse Association?

It’s very simple. Head to www.iqha.ie and click to join up button on the front page. Our membership includes AQHA membership, which means you’ll have access to a ton of resources. You’ll also get discounted prices at all our events.

Can you tell us about some of the challenges that the Irish Quarter Horse Association has faced, and how it has overcome them or is overcoming them?

The biggest issue we face is perception. People see the western tack and think we’re some kind of 1860 cowboy club who’s members are fulfilling a childhood dream from a western movie image. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We are serious and as passionate as any of the mainstream disciplines. The difference being our disciplines are more subjective than objective. We want to promote the fact that we are all about competency and safety. We are slowly changing this perception through social media, our programs and getting out there and talking to people like yourselves! 

Where can we “Th e Media” be better at giving you more coverage and support?

What we really need is support and boots on the ground! We need others to share our message and help us change the perception I mentioned above. We want to continue to grow our organisation and we would love for more people to come and see what we’re about. All our events are free to spectators. Seeing is believing so come and watch what we do! If you like what you see – tell your friends!

Can you share any upcoming events or initiatives that the Irish Quarter Horse Association has planned for the near future?

We have the AQHA International Marketplace and Seminar with AQHA Professional Marilyn Randall. Then in July UK AQHA Professional & European Champion Tammy Grieves will be presenting a two-day clinic. Further dates for our POEP (free to attend and participate) will be published on our webpage and social media pages etc.

Can you tell us about your two-day event coming up in May? Sounds very exciting.

We are very excited too! Marylin Randall, an esteemed International AQHA judge and award-winning AQHA Professional Horsewoman from Montana. She did a two-day clinic with us last year and we didn’t want her to leave! So, it’s safe to say it was a big success! On the first day of the clinic Marylin focuses on groundwork, showmanship, and in-hand trail. The second day focuses on equitation and bringing that willingness on the ground into the saddle. She instructs the riders through various trail obstacles and patterns. 

Marylin is brilliant at seamlessly working with riders of all ages and abilities. She is proficient in both western and mainstream classes so this clinic will be suitable for everyone no matter what your discipline or ability. People are welcome to attend one or both days and as I said before, spectators may attend for free! 

We guarantee you’ll walk away from Marylin’s clinic with a smile on your face and more tools in your equestrian toolbelt!