IRELAND’s budding talent stole the limelight in 2025. As the year began, chef d’equipe Michael Blake said, “our youth programmes are the foundation of our success. They provide a platform for emerging riders to transition to senior levels and excel under the green jacket.” And the truth in that was clear for all to see as the year rolled out.

It began in earnest with a win for Darragh Kenny and Chaccossini in the CSI3* 1.50m Classic as the Winter Equestrian Festival got underway in Wellington, Florida (USA) in January. And that was quickly followed by victory in the opening leg of the Longines League of Nations 2025 series in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in February, where Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Trevor Breen (Highland President), Jason Foley (Chedington Hazy Toulana) and Mikey Pender (HHS Los Angeles) reigned supreme with a zero score.