TAYLOR Vard has named the Irish teams that will compete at the 2026 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships, which will take place in Lanaken, Belgium, from September 16th to 20th.

Speaking on his selections, Taylor Vard commented: “Congratulations to the owners and riders on their selection. As always, it’s not easy to put teams together and not disappoint someone, but Lanaken is just one show and there will always be a championship at every stage of horses’ journeys.

“The best of luck to everyone going and there will probably be some changes as we get closer to the show with horses getting sold. Feedback regarding the change to the five-year-old finals using optimal time has been mixed, it will be interesting to see how it is received at the championships.

“Thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and everyone in Horse Sport Ireland working behind the scenes to organise paperwork for our teams.”

Participation at the FEI WBFSH Show jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.

Irish squads

The Irish Sport Horses named on the five-year old team are as follows: ABC Mayflower, owned by Gerald Burke and ridden by Gemma Phelan; BP Bob Rock, owned by Keith Ennis and ridden by Niamh McEvoy; Cal Bos Rok Princess, owned by Stephen Lowry and ridden by Joshua James Lynch; Elma Bo, owned and ridden by Abigail Boland; GLC Mr President, owned by Garreth Cassidy and ridden by Coen Williams; and Soco Flex, owned and ridden by Eddie Moloney.

The six-year-old squad of Irish Sport Horses is as follows: Boleybawn Alexa, owned by Boleybawn Horses Ltd and ridden by Harry Wood; Castlefield Tycoon, owned by Martin Egan and ridden by Ger O’Neill; Galwaybay Jim, owned by John Ryan and ridden by Jack Ryan; HHS Kilbrackan Stakatto, owned by Bruna Batista de Oliveira and ridden by Molly Hughes Bravo; Newmarket Pretty Lady, owned by Adam Ferris and ridden by Kian Dore; Ogue BT Grandato, owned by BT Stables and ridden by Ethan Ahearne; and Parc Kesha, owned by Williams Sport Horses Ltd and ridden by Coen Williams.

The Irish Sport Horses named for the seven-year-old competition are as follows: Galwaybay Winningmood, owned by Northlawn Farm and ridden by Jack Ryan; HHS Lexington, owned by Marion Hughes and ridden by Max Foley; JM Louisiana, owned by John Lawlor and ridden by Lotte Teuns (NED); Kleio de Muse, owned by Cavan Equestrian Centre and ridden by Camryn Clarke; Parc Violete, owned by Paula Williams and ridden by Coen Williams; and Rosconnell Tango, owned by Keith Ennis and ridden by Niamh McEvoy.

The following five-year-olds have received wildcard nominations: Daconti G (Clem McMahon); Rhea-Duela (Taylor Cummins); Romai (Alisha Vard); Valentino JS (Coen Williams); Vibe of Picobello Z (Gemma Phelan). Among the six-year-olds, wildcards went to: Codex Girl van Twelve Oaks Z (Rhys Williams); Kassie Devine Z (Jenny Rankin); Olga D’Ecaussinnes (Kian Dore); Ukina (Emily Moloney); and Umbrillio Van Het Kapelhof (Stephen Gibbons). Joining them are the seven-year-olds Jasmin d’Ariel (Niamh McEvoy), Ocean (David Simpson), Rial’s Varinjo (Jessica Burke), Top Gun VD Bisschop (Sophie Richards) and Tyfoon VD Donkhoeve (Kian Dore).