In 2025, under National Breeding Services, HSI engaged IFAC to carry out a survey of breeders who had engaged with the inspection process for both mares and stallions across several studbooks. One of the recommendations from the report, and suggestions from breeders, was to include foreign judges/inspectors to support the process. To that end Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to welcome three guest inspectors to the 2026 Stallion Selections to be held in Cavan Equestrian Centre on Thursday and Friday March 26th and 27th.
We are excited to welcome Mary Wilson to the Irish Draught inspection panel this year. Mary has extensive knowledge of the inspection process given her vast experience as an inspector with the Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) where she acts as one of the Senior Stallion Inspectors.
2026 marks Mary’s first time to inspect in Cavan as part of the Horse Sport Ireland Stallion Selections. A prolific breeder of Irish Draught horses in her own right, having bred the Class 1 stallion Aye Aye Skipper. Surrounded by horses from a young age having competed in pony classes in the RDS in her youth, and she hails from a renowned family of equestrian knowledge given that Mary’s sister is Clare Ryan who was heavily involved for many years in the Go For Gold Sale selection process.
For the sport horses, we will firstly be joined by Henk Dirksen, the Senior Mare & Stallion Selector with the KWPN.
Henk has worked for the KWPN since 2010 where he has been an inspector for the Utecht, Flevoland, and Limburg regions. Since April 2021, Henk has been the main regional inspector of Limburg. He is involved with inspections for both jumping and dressage breeding directions. He is an active breeder and keeps several broodmares with his wife.
Henk Dirksen also bred the mare Olona (KWPN) by Indorado (KWPN).
Olona is the dam of Cornets Olona (BE/SIES) who is ridden internationally by British jumping legend, and our third guest inspector; John Whitaker MBE.
John holds an impressive medal haul including three Olympic medals stretching back to 1984’s team silver at Los Angeles (USA) with Ryan’s Son; the same horse he finished fifth with in 1979 at the World Cup final in Göteborg (SWE). His championship medal haul includes five World Championship medals, and thirteen European Championship medals including team and individual gold at the 1989 European Championships. He has won the Hickstead Derby four times and has also been on several Aga Khan Nations Cup winning teams for Britain at the RDS Dublin Horse Show.
With a career spanning six decades with no signs of slowing down, John brings a unique perspective on the requirements of stallions competing in top sport given his success with stallions such as Argento (AES) and his multiple championship partner; Peppermill (KWPN). Several Irish-bred horses are among the many top horses that Whitaker competed with including of course the legendary stallion Cruising (ISH)[TIH].
In 2011, Whitaker and the Irish-bred gelding Casino by Cavalier Royale (HOLST) won the 1.50m Grand Prix at the Stockholm CSI3* (SWE). The partnership also finished second in the World Cup qualifier at the London Olympia CSI5*-W in 2008, and second in the 1.55m Grand Prix at the CSI4* in Chantilly (FRA).
Speaking about the inclusion of the guest inspectors for 2026, Sonja Egan PhD., Head of Breeding, Development and Innovation had the following to say:
“Many breeders will recall that during last year’s stallion inspections, the ifac team conducted an independent review of several Irish sport horse studbook inspection processes. One of the recommendations arising from the report was to explore the use of foreign judges or inspectors to further strengthen the process.
We are delighted to implement this recommendation for the first time, and to welcome Mary, Henk and John to this year’s Stallion Selections. Their expertise across studbook inspection processes, breeding and top sport performance will complement the extensive experience already present on our studbook panels. This combination aligns with the breeds presented, with the potential to introduce new perspectives that can add value to the horses and overall process.
This approach mirrors the successful model long used in the RDS Dublin Horse Show, where international judges have contributed positively to the judging process. This is a positive step based on stakeholder feedback; we look forward to working together to continue developing an inspection system that serves Irish breeding to the highest standard.”
Horse Sport Ireland would like to remind stakeholders that spectators are welcome to attend at no cost, we look forward to meeting you all across the two days!
Horse Sport Ireland’s Stallion Selections are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Equine Technical Support fund.
