Suomen Hippos will bring horse-industry representatives and Finnish decision-makers together in Helsinki on 8 September for the fourth 'Horse Parliament', with gambling reform among the topics scheduled for discussion.
The event will examine the horse industry’s social and economic contribution, its future prospects and its role in supporting wellbeing. It will begin with a public gathering at Kansalaistori Square, featuring Finnhorses from Rauhala Stables, ponies from the Vermo Trotting School and police horses.
State Secretary Päivi Nerg will open the public programme, while Minister of Justice Leena Meri will deliver its closing remarks. Parliamentary groups and central horse-industry organisations are also expected to participate.
An invitation-only session will subsequently take place at the Citizen’s Information Centre in Parliament’s Little Parliament building. MP Hilkka Kemppi, Chair of Parliament’s Society of Horse Friends, will provide the opening and closing remarks.
The programme includes a presentation on the 2026 impact analysis of Finland’s horse industry, alongside discussions covering equestrian tourism, the future of the Finnhorse, domestic breeding and riding participation.
For the gambling sector, a session led by Suomen Hippos CEO Tomi Himanka and Finnish Gambling Consultants chair Jari Vähänen will consider how changes to Finland’s gambling market could affect the horse industry.
The Horse Parliament is being organised by Parliament’s Society of Horse Friends, Suomen Hippos, the Equestrian Federation of Finland and the Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners.
The event comes as Suomen Hippos prepares for structural changes associated with Finland’s gambling reform. The organisation launched employee change negotiations in April, while its joint venture with Sweden’s ATG has applied for a Finnish gambling licence covering horseracing betting, sports betting and online casino.
Hippos ATG has also appointed Pekka Kaidesoja as Head of Content ahead of its planned July 2027 launch.
Suomen Hippos is the central organisation for trotting sports and horse breeding in Finland
