Training Events

New participants in the ISH Young Breeders programme, aged 15-25 years of age, are always welcome. 

ISH 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. 

WBFSH Young Breeder World Championships are planned for July 7-9 2022 in Ermelo, Holland at the home of the KNHS, the National Sports Federation of the Netherlands, but also the home of the KWPN Studbook. Lots of events are organised at the National Equestrian Centre like the WBFSH Dressage World Championships for Young Horses, National Championships and the KWPN Championships. 

The ISH Young Breeders National Championships is the first step in the qualification/selection process for team participation at the Young Breeder World Championships. The hope is to schedule National Championships in 2022, watch this space. National and World Championship Competitions include the assessment of conformation and athleticism traits, presentation of horses in hand and a theory test. 

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 thinking of competing.

The Let's Talk Equine webinar series content also supplements learning

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Training Schedule 2021/ 2022

Those aged 15-25 years (age on 1/1/2022) are welcome to book and attend. Training places can only be offered on a first booked, first served basis with attendance limits in place, so book early. 

Young Breeder pictured at Hughes Horse Stud (left) and Belmont House Stud (right) above

Please refer to Covid information below the events table.

Incentivising Excellent Training Performance 

Horse Sport Ireland are delighted to provide rewards to particpants demonstrating excellent performance at October, November and December 2021 young breeder training days.

On each of the three training days in October, November and December 2021 the following individuals will be identified:

• Highest ranked junior and senior in conformation assessment based on a combination of training day scores (70%) and general impression (30%) 
• Highest ranked junior and senior in athleticism assessment based on a combination of training day scores (70%) and general impression (30%)
• Highest ranked junior and senior in conformation and athleticism assessment combined based on a combination of training day scores (70%) and general impression (30%)

Also the highest ranked junior and senior over all three training days based on cumulative combination of scores in conformation and athleticism assessment will be identified. 

Training Day Prizes

Based on the selection criteria above the junior group and senior group will each be awarded with a unique and special day as follows:

Juniors (15-19 years of age) will attend Cooley Farm in Glenealy Co. Wicklow, home one of the world’s leading sources of world class Irish Sport Horses. Cooley Farm, run by Richard Sheane and Georgina Philips, where top quality sport horses are produced and sold destined for the world stage under the “Cooley” banner. 

Seniors (20 – 25 years of age) will attend Ballypatrick Stables near Thurles Co. Tipperary, home of Olympian, international showjumper and trainer Greg Broderick, where top-quality show jumpers are bred, sourced, and produced for compeitition and sale. Greg also coaches riders to become elite professionals in their chosen circuits, while his sister Cheryl manages the farms extensive breeding programme. 

Covid-19 Compliance

HSE guidelines on COVID-19 will be adhered to at all times.

Do not attend if showing any signs or symptoms of ‘Covid 19’ or if been in contact with any confirmed case in the previous 14 days.

Health and Wellbeing Check for Young Breeders:

In advance of attending training, please ask yourself the following questions. If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions, please do not attend training.

Rules for Training Events:

1. Maintain social distancing at ALL times 
2. Avoid gathering in the parking area at the start & at end of the meeting. Parents/others dropping off participants should not leave the vehicle and strictly ‘drop and collect’
3. Sanitise hands before entering & leaving the site/farm and also regularly and appropriately. Please bring hand sanitiser gel with you
4. Stay with the group at the venue/ farm while maintaining social distance
5. The wearing of face coverings is recommended (and preferred) but will not be provided by Teagasc
6. Bring your own pen/pencil and pad/clipboard/other to lean on and do not share with others