Irish Sport Horse Studbook Young Breeders team crowned reserve world champions

Edward, Ellen, Robert, and Sarah have claimed the senior team silver medal, while Ellen secured the senior individual silver after a brilliant performance at the Championships. Ben finished in gold position for athleticism assessment in the junior age group, narrowly missing the podium in fourth place for his in-hand presentation. Other team members scored a number of placing across the various disciplines with Ben placing 9^th individually and Faye 10^th in the junior group, and Sarah 14^th in the senior group.

The 12^th WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships brought together the next generation of international breeders from 19 studbooks across 10 nations for a competition at the highest professional level.

Competitors completed a theory test of 50 questions, assessed conformation of four horses, athleticism (movement and jump) of a further five horses, and presented an unfamiliar horse in hand over three days of competition.

Teagasc Equine specialist and team trainer Wendy Conlon said, “To achieve the title of Reserve World Champion is a tremendous reward for the dedication, commitment and teamwork these young breeders have shown throughout their preparation. They embraced every challenge with professionalism, worked enthusiastically to develop their skills, and supported each other every step of the way. Representing the Studbook on the world stage is a privilege, and I couldn’t be prouder of how they conducted themselves. This result reflects not only their hard work, but also the strength of our young breeders training programme and the many people who contributed to their journey. The success achieved is a testament to the talent, commitment and enthusiasm of the young people themselves, and to the strong collaboration between Teagasc, Horse Sport Ireland, young breeder tutors Tiernan Gill, Damien Griffin, Andrew Hughes, and Philip Scott, and the many Irish stud farms and production stables that have generously supported training and championship preparation. We look forward to building on this success in the years ahead.”

The young breeders programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland and Teagasc.

Winners of the Disciplines

Overall Team Standings

• Gold: Sachsen-Thüringen (1.813,5 Points)
• Silver: Irish Sport Horse (1.811,5 Points)
• Bronze: Holstein (1.796,5 Points)

Junior Team Standings (ages 16–20)

• Gold: Selle Francais (927,5 Points)
• Silver: Holstein (921,5 Points)
• Bronze: Brandenburg-Anhalt (914,5 Points)

Senior Team Standings (ages 21–26)

• Gold: Sachsen-Thüringen (910,5 Points)
• Silver: Irish Sport Horse (902 Points)
• Bronze: Swedish Warmblood (897 Points)

Junior Individual Standings

• Gold: Hilma Alden, Swedish Warmblood (319 Points)
• Silver: Henni Edler, Brandenburg-Anhalt (315 Points)
• Bronze: Ambre Bouvier, Selle Francais (312 Points)

Senior Individual Standings

• Gold: Julienne Freund, Sachsen-Thüringen (307 Points)
• Silver: Ellen McWey, Irish Sport Horse (305,5 Points)
• Bronze: Thea Karlsson, Swedish Wamblood (305 Points)

The Irish Young Breeders Programme provides young people with opportunities to develop expertise in horse breeding, conformation assessment, presentation, and evaluation, while fostering friendships and networks across the equine sector. The programme is open to all young people between the ages of 15 to 30 years, where participants do not have be breeders or horse owners themselves. All that is required is an avid interest and an eagerness to participate and learn.

For more information on the Irish Young Breeders Programme, visit the Horse Sport Ireland website or the Teagasc Website

More information on the WBFSH International Young Breeders Programme is available at here