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. 

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. 

Saturday April 5th, 2025

Time: 11.00am to 3.30pm 

Venue: Ardeo Sport Horses, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow

With: Melanie and Neil Wrynn

Focus: Assessing conformation and athleticism traits, as they relate to rideability and performance in sport. Also an opportunity to gain insights into the business model at Ardeo Sport Horses. 

Saturday May 17th, 2025

Time: 11.00am to 3.30pm

Venue: Kilkenny International Sport Horses

With: John Tilley and Andrew Williams

Focus: Assessing conformation and athleticism traits, as they relate to rideability and performance in sport. 

Booking link to follow.

Previous Training Events - Attendees

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

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