SUMMERTIME is officially here as the clocks sprang forward last weekend and foals are beginning to populate fields nationwide.

Softening the blow of the high costs of key inputs such as power, fuel, and feed, is the welcome opening of TAMS III - for the first time - to the Irish equine sector, thoroughbred and sport horse.

Ongoing industry and stakeholder lobbying, combined with political will from Senior Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD (FF), with the Ministers of State, Martin Heydon TD (FG) and Senator Pippa Hackett TD (Greens), and the work of DAFM civil servants, has delivered access to this funding platform.

Without doubt, it will be a game-changer for the Irish Sport Horse industry with an array of grant supports available for fencing, stabling, lunge rings, feed stores, exercise areas and gallops. (See page 19 for TAMS III information).

Strong performance

It’s been a wonderful 12 months for Irish equestrianism across all disciplines with European Championships medals galore of every hue as we hurtle towards the Paris 2024 Olympics. Fresh in the memory is Ireland’s Aga Khan Trophy win with two Irish-bred horses Kilkenny (ISH) and James Kann Cruz (ISH) on the team - testament to the foresight and initiatives of the Royal Dublin Society in suppporting Irish-bred horses.

Make the best use you can out of all the verified data available to finalise your mating plans this breeding season and, where possible, visit stallions in the flesh to determine if they would suit your mares. Talking to stallion-keepers, breeders and riders can provide useful insight into traits and characteristics.

Welcome to our flagship 40-page Stallions Guide and, on behalf of all our hard-working team here at The Irish Field, we wish you every success and good luck for the 2023 breeding season.