Training Events
Upcoming training events | Previous training events | World Championship Team Selection
The Training Programme
Training days at stud farms and production yards around the country provide a fantastic opportunity to engage with some of the best in the business. Training not only supports preparation for competition, but is also educational for those who aren’t perhaps interested in / available to compete.
New participants in the Equine Young Breeders (IRE) programme, aged 14/15-30 years of age, are always welcome.
‘Young Breeders’ is accessible to ALL young horse lovers in this age group. The vision is to train the breeders, and industry contributors of the future, while providing opportunity to network with other like minded people, and maybe even meeting new lifelong friends.
National and World Championship competition are an important aspect of the programme, providing an opportunity to benchmark knowledge and skill levels against others, whilst also networking and making friendships. Only those aged 16-25 years of age in the year of championships are eligible to compete.
World Championship Team Selection
The Young Breeder National Championships are the first step in the qualification/selection process for team participation at the World Championships. The next WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships is to take place 16-19 July 2026 at Celle State Stud Germany. Those aged 16-26 in 2026 (born 2000 to 2010) are eligible to progress toward that goal.
Competitors and the wider team at 2024 Young Breeder National Championships
National and World Championship competitions include the assessment of conformation and athleticism traits, presentation of horses in hand and a multiple choice theory test. A side competition at World Championships is the turnout, as a team, of a horse and its formal presentation to the judges.
A group of 21 young people from all around the country completed further training and assessment ahead of World Championship team selection 2024 following the National Championships. They attended three training days at Kilconnell Stud, Derryglen Stud and Hughes Horse Stud which incorporated instruction and assessment relating to the disciplines of assessing conformation traits, assessing athleticism traits, presenting a horse in hand, and a multiple choice theory test covering a variety of topics.
Left to right: Gillian Burke, Eileen Coleman, Michelle Dunne, Maria Cairns, Aimee Walsh, Sarah Kavanagh, Ella Tighe, Edward Hennessy, Caoimhe Healy, Robert Deegan, Emer O’Donnell, Lillian Lynch, Ben Kavanagh, Katie O’Donnell, Hazel McInerney, Ciara Hanley, Conor Fitzpatrick and Katie Peate (Colin Doyle absent)
The team chosen to travel to Stutteri Ask to participate in the 2024 International Young Breeders World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses World Championships, hosted by the Danish Warmblood Society, are photographed below.
Left to right: Sarah Kavanagh, Edward Hennessy, Colin Doyle, (Damien Griffin, Lissyegan Stables – training host), Gillian Burke, Ben Kavanagh, Maria Cairns, and Caoimhe Healy
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Training Schedule 2025
Please book early for events to avoid disappointment and help the organiser.
All training activities are open to those aged 14-30 years of age.
Tuesday July 29th, 2025
Time: 10.00am to 4.00 pm
Venue: Barnfield House Equestrian, Knockmore, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Focus: In Hand Training, and depending on numbers perhaps also conformation
A unique opportunity to secure your place in the 2026 selection phase to identify team members representing the Irish Sport Horse Studbook at the International Young Breeders World Championships, Celle State Stud, Germany, July 2026. One place for an individual born 2006 – 2010; and another for an individual born 2000 – 2005 can be secured at this event.
Previous Training Events – Attendees
Young Breeders at Ardeo Sport Horses, April 2025
Young Breeders pictured with Ian Cassells Eventing March 2025
Young Breeders pictured at Joseph O’Brien Racing Carriganóg Racing October 5th, 2024
Young Breeders pictured at Belline Estate Equestrian October 5th, 2024
Young Breeders pictured at McKee Barracks July 2024
Young Breeders pictured at Dohyle House Stud Feb 2024
Young Breeders pictured at Boleybawn Horses January 2024
Young Breeders pictured at Newtown Stud, Co. Wexford, December 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Mullingar Equestrian Centre, October 2023
Prizewinners at Mullingar Equestrian Centre October 2023
Prizewinners at Hughes Horse Stud October 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Hughes Horse Stud, October 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Lissyegan Stables, September 2023
Young Breeders pictured at GBBS Ballypatrick Stables, August 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Ennisnag Stud, August 2023
Young Breeders picttured at Emma O’Dwyer Showjumping, July 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Army Equitation School, April 2023
Young Breeders pictured at Coolmore Stud, Co. Tipperary, February 2023 (also attended Fethard Equine Hospital)
Young Breeders pictured at Greenogue Equestrian Centre, Co. Dublin, December 2022
Young Breeders pictured at Dohyle House Stud, Co. Limerick, October 2022
Young Breeders at Hartwell Stud, Co. Kildare, September 2022
Previous Training Activities 2021/2022 and 2023/2024
| Date | Venue | Focus | Trainer (s) | Other Info/Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday July 9th, 2025 | Lissyegan Stables, Co. Galway | Assessing conformation and athleticism traits, as they relate to soundness, rideability and performance in sport. | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Damien and Fiona Griffin | |
| Saturday April 5th, 2025 | Ardeo Sport Horses | Linear Scoring Conformation & Athleticism traits | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Philip Scott, Melanie & Neil Wrynn | |
| Saturday March 1st, 2025 | Ian Cassells Eventing | Linear Scoring Conformation & Athleticism traits 3* and 5* eventers | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott and Ian Cassells | |
| Saturday Oct 5th 2024 | Joseph O’Brien Racing and Belline Estate Equestrian | Insight into production for racing and sales, and the sport of eventing | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Mitch Barry, Robbie Kearns, Andrew Hughes, Tiernan Gill, and Philip Scott | |
| Tuesday July 16th 2024 | McKee Barracks | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Comdt Sharon Crean | |
| Sunday April 14th 2024 | Hughes Horse Stud | World Championships Team Selection Process | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Andrew Hughes, Tiernan Gill and Philip Scott | |
| Thursday April 4th 2024 | Derryglen Stud | World Championships Team Selection Process | Teagasc Equine Specialists and Andrew Hughes | |
| Thursday March 28th 2024 | Kilconnell Stud | World Championships Team Selection Process | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Andrew Hughes, and Tiernan Gill | |
| Saturday March 23rd 2024 | Kildalton Agricultural College | National Championships | Results | |
| Sunday Feb 25th 2024 | Dohyle House Stud | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott, and Tiernan Gill | |
| Saturday Jan 27th 2024 | Boleybawn Stables | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Philip Scott, and Andrew Hughes | |
| Saturday December 2nd 2023 | Newtown Stables | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Tiernan Gill, and Andrew Hughes | |
| Saturday October 21st 2023 | Mullingar Equestrian Centre | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott, and Tiernan Gill | |
| Sunday October 8th 2023 | Hughes Horse Stud | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott, and Andrew Hughes | See Above |
| Saturday September 9th 2023 | Lissyegan Stables | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism Traits | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott, Tiernan Gill & Damien Griffin | |
| Friday August 18th 2023 | GBBS Ballypatrick | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism traits | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Andrew Hughes, Greg Broderick | |
| Tuesday August 1st 2023 | Ennisnag Stud | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism traits | Teagasc Equine Specialist, Andrew Hughes & Conor Higgins | |
| Tuesday July 4th 2023 | Emma O’Dwyer Showjumping | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Andrew Hughes & Conor Higgins | |
| Tuesday June 20th 2023 | Ennis Showgrounds | Assessing Athleticism Traits at RDS Young Event Horse Qualifier | Teagasc Equine Specialists, Philip Scott & Tiernan Gill | |
| Saturday May 27th 2023 | Gormanstown Stud | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Teagasc Equine Specialist & Philip Scott | |
| Thursday April 13th 2023 | McKee Barracks, Dublin | Conformation & Athleticism Assessment & Familiarisation with Army Equitation School | Teagasc Equine Specialists & Comdt Tom Freyne | |
| Saturday Feb 4th 2023 | Coolmore Stud (AM) & Fethard Equine Hospital (PM) | Guided Tour and insight into activities at both venues | Teagasc Equine Specialists | |
| Sunday, December 4th 2022 | Ian Cassells Eventing, at Greenogue Equestrian, Dublin | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Tiernan Gill, Philip Scott & Teagasc Equine Specialists | |
| Saturday, October 15th 2022 | Dohyle House Stud, Cappagh, Askeaton, Co. Limerick V94C838 | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Philip Scott (Barnfield Equestrian) & Teagasc Equine Specialists | |
| Sunday, September 11th 2022 |
Hartwell Stud, Co. Kildare | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Philip Scott (Barnfield Equestrian) & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| BELOW 2021 / 2022 Season up to World Championships | ||||
| Saturday, Oct 30th 2021 |
Hughes Horse Stud
(Home of international show jumper, breeder and producer Marion Hughes) |
Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Andrew Hughes (ESI) & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| Saturday
Nov 20th 2021 |
Belmont House Stud
(Home of breeder and producer Andrea Etter) |
Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Tiernan Gill, Andrew Hughes & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| Saturday
Jan 22nd 2022 |
Boleybawn Horses | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump) | Jack Doyle, Andrew Hughes & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| Sunday
Feb 27th 2022 |
Ennisnag Stud | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump). | Andrew Hughes & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| Saturday
Mar 12th 2022 |
Tiernan Gill’s Farm | Assessing Conformation and Athleticism (movement and jump). In Hand Presentation Demo | Tiernan Gill, Philip Scott, & Wendy Conlon Teagasc | |
| Saturday
Apr 2nd 2022 |
Kildalton Agricultural College | ISH Young Breeder National Championships :
Theory (multiple choice) Assessment of Conformation and Athleticism Presentation of Horse/Pony In Hand |
Clare Ryan, Tiernan Gill, Philip Scott, Andrew Hughes, Conor Higgins | RESULTS
2022 National Young Breeder Championships Results (Press Report) |
| July 7-10th 2022 | Ermelo, Holland | WBFSH International Young Breeder World Championships
(all disciplines as per Nationals above) |
TEAM MEMBERS:
Seniors: Maria Cairns, Colin Doyle, Amy Finn, Annie Madden Juniors: Shane Donohoe, Edward Hennessy, Aoife Kirby, and Camilla Snow Coyne |
RESULTS |
Young Breeders pictured at Hughes Horse Stud Co. Kilkenny (left) and Belmont House Stud Co. Offaly(right) above
Young Breeders pictured at Boleybawn Horses Co. Wicklow
Young Breeders pictured at Cooley Farm, Co. Wicklow and at Tiernan Gill’s Farm, Co. Mayo