HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) will award over €600,000 to 71 equestrian bodies, societies and show organisations across the equestrian industry under the 2026 Breeding Grant Scheme, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Martin Heydon, TD, joined HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan on Friday to announce the allocation. The Breeding Grant Scheme provides prize money to breeding and production classes at shows across the island of Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Heydon said: “I am very pleased to announce the 2026 Breeding Grant initiative, and I thank Poppy Blandford and Aidan Killeen for providing their wonderful Grangebeg Farm facilities to us here in Co Kildare. Ensuring that the Irish horse remains of the highest quality and that exceptional work continues to be done by Ireland’s breeders in producing top quality young horses for all markets is so important to breeders and producers around the country.”
Denis Duggan said: “As we have seen over the last number of years, demand for grant funding remains incredibly strong, with 100 applicants for funding this year. I commend the 71 show organising committees that are successful in securing funding this year. The Show organisers are largely volunteer organisations who rely on this funding to support their efforts across the country. We are particularly proud that this initiative continues to provide extensive and direct support to breeders. All funded shows must allocate a portion of their awarded funding to the breeders of successful horses. This ensures that breeders are recognised and rewarded for their breeding decisions, even long after a foal or horse has been sold.
The scheme has grown significantly, expanding from supporting 22 shows at €120,000 in 2018 to more than 75 shows and €625,000 allocated in 2026. Full list of recipients at horsesportireland.ie
Top 20 recipients
Royal Dublin Society €220,285
Millstreet €59,650
Irish Breeders’ Classic €40,000
Young Event Horse Series €20,750
Clarecastle Agricultural Show €20,000
Connemara Pony Show, Clifden €15,000
The Traditional Irish Horse Association €15,000
Irish Harness Racing Association CLG €14,400
Royal Ulster Agricultural Society €14,000
Ballindenisk €10,000
IDHBA National Show €10,000
Western Region of Eventing Ireland €10,000
Roscommon Agricultural Show €6,000
Claremorris Equestrian Centre €6,000
Danescroft Equestrian €5,500
Clonmel Show €5,500
Kildysart Show €5,000
Sceilig Equestrian €5,000
Cappamore Agricultural Show €5,000
Scarriff Show Society €4,500