Madam,

As Chef d’Equipe of the Irish team at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, I would like to thank those who made the achievement of three medals, gold, silver and bronze, possible.

Last weekend 682 horses from all studbooks congregated in Lanaken to compete for nine medals, and without our breeders, there would be no Irish sport horses at this competition. Thank you and congratulations to our Irish breeders.

To hold on to young horses in Ireland requires committed owners, thank you also. Our riders showed expertise and flair, our grooms had horses immaculately turned out in their kit kindly supplied by Horseware Ireland. Well done all of you.

The showjumping leagues and sponsored classes across the country give our young horses the start they need; thank you to the sponsors and to the shows that host these competitions. The planning and support of the selection committee chaired by Harold McGahern and the support of the breeding section of HSI has been invaluable. Congratulations to everyone!

Yours etc,

John Ledingham, Comdt,

Chef d’Equipe