THE Irish Sport Horse (ISH) Young Breeders National Championships (NC), jointly supported by Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland, is to take place at Kildalton Agricultural College on Saturday, April 2nd.

The concept of ‘Young Breeders’ and associated training programme was established in Ireland in 2005. Education merging with competition is the ethos of the training activities and associated championships.

The National Championships are a first step in selecting teams representing the ISH Studbook at World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Young Breeder World Championships in Ermelo, Holland July 2022, hosted by the KWPN Studbook.

Although the knowledge and skill of participants is challenged and assessed throughout training and Championships, there’s plenty of support, guidance and feedback provided.

What skills and knowledge are assessed during the National Championships?

  • Multiple choice theory test – topics include breeding, stable management, feeding, health, and sport with questions extracted from a pre-provided question bank.
  • Assessing conformation, and assessing movement and jumping (athleticism) traits: Judges first score two horses, with discussion on reasons for allocating scores, before competitors assess a further three aiming to match the judges’ scores as closely as possible for the latter three in both disciplines.
  • Presenting in hand – competitors must present an animal over a set route using a triangle layout. Resource material is available on the website with demonstration provided on the day. Horses are also provided.

    • Who can enter?

    Those aged 15-25 years of age on January 1st, 2022. Although training events have been provided on farms including Hughes Horse Stud and Ennisnag Stud in Co Kilkenny, Belmont House Stud in Co Offaly, Boleybawn Horses and Cooley Farm in Co Wicklow, Tiernan Gill’s farm in Co Mayo and Ballypatrick Stables in Co Tipperary since October 2021, the Championships are equally accessible to those who have not attended training.

    It is not compulsory to progress to WC if successful at NC, though encouraged.

    What do past participants say about their experiences?

    David Bourke, ‘Enniskerry Farm’, Co Wicklow, competed at the 2009 WC in Ireland: “Young Breeders gave me the tool kit to objectively assess my own stock, stand back and be critical. Contacts with other competitors from across Europe are sustained to this day.”

    Sarah Brashaw, Newtownards, Co Down, competed at the 2019 WC in Austria: “I’ve driven literally hundreds of miles around Ireland attending training. Not coming from an equestrian background myself, it just goes to show that anyone can do it if they are willing to put the work in.”

    David Browne, Castledermot, Co Kildare, competed at 2017 WC in Canada: “I knew very little about conformation or athleticism before participating in the programme and learned an awful lot on training and competition days with guidance and feedback from trainers.”

    Michelle Dunne, Sandyford, Co Dublin, competed at 2019 WC, admits to “feeling a bit lost, at the first training event attended as quite shy and my instinct was to not go back.” Yet two years later: “I wanted to be more educated about how to assess a horse and not make silly mistakes or waste money when buying, and have not looked back since. I love it.”

    Dan Geaney, Castleisland, Co Kerry, competed at 2019 WC Austria after winning at National Championships: “Before the Championships, I hadn’t attended training, knew a bit about loose jumping, but never presented on the triangle in hand and just followed gut instinct on conformation. It was a steep learning curve and challenging, but the only way to learn is to speak up and ask questions – it’s very important to do that.”

    Melissa Glynn, Crannaghmore, Co Roscommon placed at 2019 NC. “I love the interaction of the training days, and discussing the assessment of each horse with trainers and other attendees. Justifying the reasons behind the scores has really benefited my critical thinking and trained me to assess each horse I look at carefully.”

    Nicole Groyer, Naul, Co Dublin placed at NC 2016 and competed WC Austria 2019: “The programme has opened up so many doors for me and I have made some great friends. The skills and knowledge gained throughout has been a great foundation.”

    Sharon Mannion, Doon, Co Offaly participated in training during formative years of the programme: “I am up to date with the terminologies used when discussing mares and foals with potential clients and gained confidence in my own assessment of the foals and other youngstock very useful in working on our own Windgap Stud now.”

    Amy McCarthy, Kiltegan, Co Wicklow competed at WC Ireland 2009: “Being part of the programme has benefited me greatly, not only toward my interest in breeding, but also my career as a veterinary surgeon. Learning from experts while making my own scoring decisions grew confidence in my own judgement.”

    Vera O’Callaghan, Macroom, Co Cork competed at WC Canada 2017: “Participating in the programme has given me great confidence to judge the horse in front of me. I’ve also made a network of contacts all over Ireland and even kept in contact with young breeders based overseas.”

    Conor Wixted, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, won the NC senior section in 2019: “Training days provide a chance to visit some of the best breeders and producers, alongside experienced and generous trainers, imparting invaluable information you wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

    Networking opportunities

    Young people from all across the country with similar interests gather to share their knowledge, questions, and learn together. Each farm is different, each day a new learning opportunity with different horses. The more horses viewed, and discussed, the more confidence builds.

    Trainers including Jack Doyle (Cruicrath Stud), Tiernan Gill, Andrew Hughes (Ennisnag Stud), and Philip Scott (Barnfield House Equestrian Centre) work alongside Teagasc Equine Specialist Wendy Conlon with the various farm owners also sharing personal insights and experiences. The networking aspect of the programme can prove exceptionally rewarding. Newcomers always welcome!

    How to enter

    All details are available on https://bit.ly/ISHYoungBreeders ‘Events’ section or contact Teagasc equine specialist wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie

    Booking at https://teagasc.clearbookings.com/

    Booking closes March 20th. Finite entries accepted.