Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has announced almost €600,000 will be awarded to 86 equestrian bodies, societies and show organisations across the equestrian community in the 2025 Breeding Grant Scheme, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services.
Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Timmy Dooley, T.D, joined HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, and Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development, Dr. Sonja Egan, in Banner Equestrian Centre, Ennis, Co. Clare, along with a grant awardees representing Scariff Show, Banner Equestrian Centre, Clarecastle Show and the Irish Draught Horse Society to announce the allocation of funds to this year’s worthy recipients.
In total, 86 initiatives will be funded this year from the increased budget of € 595,820 which has risen by close to €80,000 from 2024’s total of €520,000, and will provide considerable support to the equestrian industry around the country. The Breeding Grant Scheme provides prizemoney to an array of young horse classes at shows all over the country.
Speaking at the launch in Banner Equestrian Centre, Minister Dooley said: “I am very pleased to be here with Horse Sport Ireland and a selection of show organisers as we announce the 2025 Breeding Grant initiative. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s support of breeders and grassroots organisations through the Breeding Grant as delivered by Horse Sport Ireland under their National Breeding Services contract ensures that the Irish horse remains of the highest quality and ensures that exceptional work continues to be done by Ireland’s breeders in producing top quality young horses for all markets.”
“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has worked extensively with the HSI team to ensure that those awarded are most deserving of the funding and we will continue to work with HSI as they help breeders produce the best Irish horses possible.”
“It is a testament to applicants, and to the funding provided by DAFM as delivered by HSI, that this €600,000 is the highest amount provided to this initiative and I was very pleased also that there are 86 successful applicants. The sport horse industry in Ireland is in a very healthy position and this extra funding will only serve to strengthen that position.”
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, said: “We are delighted to be joined by Minister Timmy Dooley, TD to announce this year’s Breeding Grant Scheme beneficiaries. The demand for this scheme continues to rise each year, with over 100 applicants for funding in 2025. We are delighted to be in a position to support 86 shows in total with this DAFM fund. This funding plays a pivotal role in the breeding and production of the next generation of Irish horses by supporting young horse classes at rural shows. These shows provide schooling and production opportunities for breeders and producers of young horses.
Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development at Horse Sport Ireland, Dr. Sonja Egan, said: “The Breeding Grant scheme hones in on the breeding and production of young horses with opportunities for breeders and producers to produce and add value to their horses in every corner of Ireland.
“We are grateful to Minister Dooley and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for all their work and for ensuring that our applicants will receive the necessary funding for their events.
“I would like to extend my thanks to the funded representatives for joining us today from the Irish Draught Horse Society, Banner Equestrian Centre, Scarriff Show, and Clarecastle Show.”
The Horse Sport Ireland Breeding Grant initiative is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
Full list of funded shows in the table below:
|
SHOW DATE |
ORGANISATION | FUNDING
AWARDED |
SHOW LOCATION |
| 21st April (Final) | Western Region of Eventing Ireland | €12,000.00 | Connacht |
| 5th & 6th April | Show of the East | €1,500.00 | Dublin |
| 22nd April (Final) | Wexford Equestrian | €5,000.00 | Wexford |
| Final May 18th | Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre | €1,500.00 | Galway |
| 13th April | Pre-Nif Spring Show | €750.00 | TBC |
| TBC | CoilÓg Eventing Ltd | €4,500.00 | Kildare |
| 5th May | Wexford Equestrian | €2,000.00 | Wexford |
| 10th May | Kildare Branch IDHBA | €2,000.00 | Kildare |
| 11th May | Banner Equestrian Centre | €1,200.00 | Clare |
| 14th to 17th May | Royal Ulster Agricultural Society | €12,000.00 | Antrim |
| 17th & 18th May | Cavan Equestrian Centre | €3,000.00 | Cavan |
| 18th May | Bandon Agricultural & Show Society Ltd. | €1,000.00 | Cork |
| 31st May | Galway branch IDHBA | €2,200.00 | Galway |
| May/June TBC | Galway Equestrian | €2,000.00 | Galway |
| 1st June | North West Clare Agricultural Show | €800.00 | Clare |
| 1st June | Mayo Roscommon Breeders Group | €2,000.00 | Mayo |
| 7th June | Danescroft Equestrian | €4,000.00 | Antrim |
| 7th & 8th June | Association of Irish Riding Clubs | €2,500.00 | Westmeath |
| 8th June | Clonakilty Agricultural Show Ltd | €2,000.00 | Cork |
| 15th June | Northern Ireland Horse Board | €3,000.00 | Armagh |
| 21st June | Gorey Agricultural Show | €2,400.00 | Wexford |
| 29th June | Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show | €1,500.00 | Kilkenny |
| 29th & 30th June | Charleville Agricultural Show Society Ltd | €2,000.00 | Cork |
| 29th June | Meadows Equestrian | €4,500.00 | Armagh |
| June- July | Connemara Pony Breeder Society | €5,000.00 | TBC |
| June TBC | DUBLIN BRANCH (IDHBA) | €1,500.00 | Dublin |
| June to July | Young Event Horse Series | €17,950.00 | Multi- Location |
| 5th July | Adamstown Show Society | €1,500.00 | Wexford |
| 5th July | Killusty Pony Show | €1,500.00 | Tipperary |
| 6th July | Laois Branch (IDHBA) | €1,500.00 | Laois |
| 6th July | Clonmel Show | €5,000.00 | Tipperary |
| 6th July | Dunmanway Agricultural Society CLG | €1,500.00 | Cork |
| 9th July | Inistioge Show Society | €5,500.00 | Kilkenny |
| 12th July | Barryroe Show Ltd | €2,000.00 | Cork |
| 12th July | Ardrahan Agricultural Show | €4,000.00 | Galway |
| 12th & 13th July | Hughes Horse Stud Show | €2,500.00 | Kilkenny |
| 13th July | Wicklow Hunt | €3,000.00 | Wexford |
| 13th July | Dungarvan Agricultural Show CLG | €2,000.00 | Waterford |
| 13th July | Mayo Roscommon Breeders Group | €2,000.00 | TBC |
| 14th- 15th June | JAG EQUESTRIAN | €1,000.00 | Kildare |
| 17th July | Irish Pony Society | €1,500.00 | TBC |
| TBC | IDHS ltd | €3,000.00 | TBC |
| 20th July | Wexford Branch IDHBA | €2,000.00 | Wexford |
| 20th July | Westmeath/Offaly Branch (IDHBA) | €2,000.00 | Westmeath |
| 20th July | Ballyvourney/Coolea Show | €1,400.00 | Cork |
| 26th July | Crossmolina Agricultural Show | €2,800.00 | Mayo |
| 26th July | Tipperary Irish Draught Breeders Assoc. | €800.00 | Tipperary |
| 26th & 27th July | Tattersalls July Show | €2,000.00 | Meath |
| 27th July | Schull Agricultural Show | €1,700.00 | Cork |
| 27th July | Ossory Agricultural Society Co Ltd | €1,500.00 | Laois |
| 27th July | Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders | €3,150.00 | Westmeath |
| 3rd August | Kildysart Show Society | €4,000.00 | Clare |
| 6th- 10th August | Royal Dublin Society- Dublin Horse Show | €220,000.00 | Dublin |
| 10th August | Tullamore Show | €1,200.00 | Offaly |
| 19th-22nd August | Connemara Pony Breeder Society | €10,700.00 | Galway |
| 16th August | Cappamore Show CLG | €1,500.00 | Limerick |
| 17th August | Roscommon Agricultural Show | €5,000.00 | Roscommon |
| 16th August | Barnadown Showjumping Ltd | €5,000.00 | Wexford |
| 17th August | Mohill Agricultural Show | €2,000.00 | Leitrim |
| 17th August | Leitrim Branch (IDHBA) | €1,500.00 | Leitrim |
| 21st-24th August | Lisgarvan House International Horse Trials | €2,000.00 | TBC |
| 22nd August | Showjumping Ireland | €600.00 | Westmeath |
| 23rd August | Mountbellew Agricultural Show | €1,500.00 | Galway |
| 24th August | Limerick Agricultural Show Society | €3,500.00 | Limerick |
| 27th August | Northern Ireland Horse Board | €5,000.00 | Armagh |
| 28th – 31st August | Irish Breeders Classic | €35,000.00 | Wexford |
| 30st August | IDHBA National Show | €7,000.00 | Kildare |
| 31st August | Clarecastle Show Society Ltd* | €20,000.00 | Clare |
| August TBC | Kerry Bog Pony Society National Show | €2,050.00 | Limerick |
| August or July TBC | Eventing Ireland | €5,000.00 | Waterford |
| 7th September | Scarriff Show | €4,500.00 | Clare |
| 7th September | Midlands Connemara Pony Breeders | €1,560.00 | Westmeath |
| 14th September | Traditional Irish Horse Association | €15,000.00 | Mullingar |
| September (Final date TBC) | Irish Draught Horse Society | €9,000.00 | |
| 21st September | Claremorris Equestrian Centre | €6,000.00 | Galway |
| 22nd September | The Irish Pony Foal Show | €2,200.00 | Louth |
| 24th-28th September | Ballindenisk | €10,000.00 | Cork |
| 28th September | Cork/Kerry Branch (IDHBA) | €1,900.00 | Cork |
| 29th/30th September | Showjumping Ireland Ulster region | €1,800.00 | Derry |
| 4th October | Mayo Roscommon Breeders Group | €3,000.00 | Mayo |
| Millstreet International Horse Trials: May 29 – June 1 2025
Millstreet Pony & Young Rider Grand Prix Show July 6 – 9 2025 Millstreet CSI2* International Horse Show July 24 – July 27 2025 |
Cromey Ltd |
€35,000.00 | |
| TBC | Connemara Pony World | €4,000.00 | Kildare |
| TBC | Irish Harness Racing Association CLG | €12,160.00 | Antrim |
| TBC | Shanakill House Equestrian Center | €2,000.00 | Waterford |
| TBC | Sceilig Equestrian | €5,000.00 | Cork |
|
Dates TBC | Irish Shows Association
*Bannow & Rathangan *Moate *Bonniconlon, All Ireland 3-year-old ID Filly *Ballinasloe, Irish Draught Colt Foal. *Ballinasloe, Irish Draught Filly Foal. *Ballinasloe, Connemara 3-year-old filly * Iverk, All Ireland Broodmare And Foal Championship *Pony Young Stock TBC *Pony Young Stock TBC |
€15,500.00 |
Multi-location |
| Total Fund 2025 | € 595,820 |
* Clarecastle Show made the decision not to proceed with the 2025 show, hence their original allocation was redistributed by HSI thereafter.