Young Breeders Programme
The Equine Young Breeders Programme (IRE), initiated in 2005, is a joint programme between Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland funded by Department of Agriculture Food and Marine under national breeding services. The programme is aimed at those between the ages of 14/15 to 30 years who are interested in assessing, exhibiting, and breeding performance horses. Participants do not have to be breeders themselves or even come from an equestrian background. An avid interest and an eagerness to participate and learn is all that is required. Only those aged 16-26 years of age are eligible to be selected for World Championship teams (i.e. 2024 Championships those born 1998-2008).
The skills and knowledge transferred through training serve as a foundation for those with an interest in developing their knowledge of the horse. These skills come into focus for varied uses including purchasing a new horse/pony; deciding about which mares/stallions to use for breeding; assessing offspring; presenting horses for inspection, sale, show or competition.
The Young Breeders Programme is a wonderful opportunity for young people to meet with their peers and make contacts in Ireland and throughout the world who share their interest in horses.
The main activities of the Young Breeders Programme involve training days and national and international competitions.
Download the ISH Young Breeders Programme Brochure (PDF)
Facebook: Equine Young Breeders IRE
Instagram: ire_young_breeders
Read more about International Young Breeders (IYB)
2024 WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships
ISH Studbook World Championship Team 2024 with team trainers. Front row l to r Philip Scott, Ben Kavanagh, Sarah Kavanagh, Hazel McInerney, Edward Hennessy, Tiernan Gill; Back row l to r Maria Cairns, Gillian Burke, Colin Doyle, Caoimhe Healy and Wendy Conlon (Teagasc)
A summary of the Irish Studbook Team performances is available here
Full results are available here
2022 WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships
Full results are available here
Read more about some of our 'Young Breeders' here