HORSE Sport Ireland has announced the team of horses that will represent the Irish WBFSH Studbooks at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses 2025 in Le Lion D’Angers from October 16th to 19th, 2025.

Six-year-olds

  • HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) (Tyson x Je T’Aime Flamenco). Bred by Jag Equestrian, Co Kildare, owned by Fiona O’Hara and Harry Horgan and ridden by Harry Horgan (IRL).
  • Lislee Honey (ISH) (Lagans OBOS Quality x Kasmayo). Bred by Charles Dullea, Co Cork, and owned and ridden by Aoife Clark (IRL).
  • Rutland Flamenco (ISH) (Casallco x T’Aime Flamenco). Bred by Eugene McEntee, Co Down, owned by Patrick (Dick) Murphy, and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL).

    • Seven-year-olds

  • Ballybolger Goldman (ISH) (Tullabeg Fusion x Warcraft). Bred by Rosemary Ponsonby, Co Tipperary, owned by Hannah Watson and ridden by Sam Watson (IRL).
  • Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH) (Sligo Candy Boy x High Roller). Bred by Noel Ruane, Co Sligo, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Paddy Byrne (IRL).
  • Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH) (Grafenstolz x Kannan). Bred by Johnston Brodie, Co Wexford, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Robbie Kearns (IRL).
  • Cairnview Crystal Springs (ISH) (Tolan R x Clover Hill). Bred and owned by Geraldine Quinn, Co Longford and ridden by Sian Coleman (IRL).
  • DS Candescent (ISH) (Sligo Candy Boy x Cruising For Chics). Bred by Liam Lynskey, Co Mayo, owned by Deborah McCann and Alyssa O’Neill and ridden by Alyssa O’Neill (IRL).
  • Independent Article (ISH) (Tyson x Cascaletto St. Ghyvan Z). Bred and owned by Margaret Kinsella, Co Galway and ridden by Cathal Daniels (IRL).
  • Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH) (Sligo Candy Boy x Lux Z). Bred by Kieran Fahey, Co Cork, owned by Jenny Curley and ridden by Noel Dunne (IRL).
  • Noa W (KWPN) (Baltic VDL x Indoctro). Bred by G Wierts, The Netherlands, owned by Nuala McDonald and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL).
  • Standfast (ISH) (Island Commander x Flagmount King). Bred by Michael Murphy, Co Wexford and owned and ridden by Aoife Clark (IRL).

    • Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development, said: “I wish to congratulate competing combinations, owners, and breeders on their selection to represent the Irish Studbooks in the upcoming FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses 2025. Irish breeders have a long and successful history of breeding eventing horses and the Irish Sport Horse studbook have maintained a strong ranking in the studbook rankings.”

    Debbie Byrne, chef d’equipe of the eventing young horse squad, said: “I am delighted to present our entries for the forthcoming WBFSH world championships for young horses. Ireland’s studbooks are synonymous with top quality, championship event horses and the calibre is high within both age categories.

    “We have just had a hugely successful Senior European Championships, and these selected young horses will potentially be looked upon in the forthcoming years to represent Ireland at championship level, and at the Olympic Games. I would like to give a huge thank you to the owners and breeders of these beautiful equine athletes, and to the DAFM for their continuing support of the young horse programme.”

    Irish studbooks’ participation in Le Lion D’Angers is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.