SINCE its inauguration in 2015, the Horse Sport Ireland foal championships have proved a competitive platform for sport horse breeding. This year is no different with over 150 foals competing across the six qualifiers, an average of 26 foals competing at each venue.

The final will take place at Cavan Equestrian Centre on October 22nd. Over 40 foals will compete for the title of national eventing or show jumping foal of the year. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend for a fantastic day celebrating the best of Irish breeding.

The aim of the competition is to identify, evaluate and reward breeders who have bred a foal that has the potential to be competitive at the highest level in show jumping or eventing.

Foals who are registered under a WBFSH/DAFM studbook (horse) or EU approved studbook (ponies) are entered and assessed in one of four sections, Eventing: horse and pony foal; show jumping: horse and pony foal. There was an initial fund of almost €24,000 on offer spread across six qualifiers in five regions nationwide. The final will see a prize fund of almost €8,000 including a specific prize for the best traditionally-bred foal.

The competing foals are presented with their dams and assessed on functional conformation, gaits (walk, trot and canter), overall athleticism and balance and pedigree.

Prior to presentation, the foal’s damline is assessed for performance or progeny performance records to contribute to overall scoring.

Eventing foals may be awarded up to 15 pedigree points and show jumping foals 20 pedigree points. This is in order to encourage selective breeding of quality sport horse foals from proven performance lines, maintaining Ireland at the forefront of breeding world renowned sport horses. See the full startlist of foals below and also on www.horsesportireland.ie.