Horse Sport Ireland is pleased to confirm that international eventing athlete Ian Cassells has been appointed Technical Selector to the Youth Eventing Selection Panel, working alongside Youth Eventing Team Manager Debbie Byrne and panel Chair Michael McNally in selecting Irish teams for upcoming international youth championships.
Cassells brings significant high-performance experience to the role. The international rider enjoyed a standout season which included silver and bronze medals at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Le Lion d’Angers, marking Ireland’s first medals at the prestigious championship in a decade. Cassells was also part of the Irish team that secured silver at the FEI European Eventing Championships, underlining his experience competing successfully at the highest level of the sport.
His appointment as Technical Selector brings valuable technical insight into elite performance and the preparation required for international success, strengthening the expertise within Ireland’s youth eventing selection process.
Chairing the panel is Michael McNally, a highly respected figure within Irish eventing who has been involved in the sport for many years as a rider, organiser and contributor to its development at both grassroots and national level. As Chair, McNally will oversee the selection process and help ensure strong engagement with the eventing community across the country.
Working closely with Team Manager Debbie Byrne, the panel will review performances and identify combinations best placed to represent Ireland at youth European Championships and other key international events.
Ireland’s youth eventing squads represent a crucial part of the high-performance pathway, developing athletes and horses who are expected to form the foundation of future senior teams, including those targeting the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.
Horse Sport Ireland believes the combination of Cassells’ international competitive expertise, McNally’s deep connection to the Irish eventing community and Byrne’s leadership of the youth programme will strengthen the pathway for the next generation of Irish event athletes.
The Athlete Selection Policy for the FEI European Pony, Junior & Young Rider Eventing Championships can be found on the athlete notices section of our website.