Ireland’s young horses, and their riders, have made an impressive start to the 2026 FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, with Irish combinations recording a series of top-class results and clear rounds across the five-, six- and seven-year-old divisions.
The opening two days of competition in Belgium have seen Irish riders feature prominently across all three age categories, with Ireland recording victories in both the six- and seven-year-old second qualifiers, alongside numerous top-ten finishes and a significant number of clear rounds.
The six-year-old division produced one of the standout Irish performances of the opening day, when Lauren Adams and Playboy ASJ took victory in Thursday’s first qualifier.
The combination jumped clear through both phases of the 1.35m competition, stopping the clock in 24.51 seconds in the second phase to take the win. Adams then completed an outstanding double clear on the podium, taking third place with BP Le Tara in 24.74 seconds, while Emily Moloney and Ukina also jumped double clear to finish fifth in 25.02 seconds.
The Irish continued to make its mark in today’s second six-year-old qualifier, with Niamh McEvoy and Doris V Z producing a clear round to finish an excellent second in 64.93 seconds.
McEvoy also recorded another clear with Easy Peasy Indebus Z, finishing tenth in 67.43 seconds.
There were further Irish clear rounds from Ethen Ahearne and BP Quarterback van T Veer, who finished sixth; Jack Ryan and Isla Flight, seventh; Stephen Gibbons and Umbrillio van het Kapelhof, eighth; Coen Williams and Parc Kesha WSH, 12th; Rhys Williams and Boreas KPCM Z, 15th; Kian Dore and Olga d’Ecaussinnes, 27th; Jenny Rankin and Kassie Devine Z, 29th; Sam Widger and BP Wishes, 33rd; Michael Pender and Cafe vd Berghoeve Z, 36th; and Rhys Williams and Codex Girl van Twelve Oaks Z, 47th.
There was another Irish victory in this afternoon’s seven-year-old second qualifier, with David Simpson and Ocean producing the fastest clear round of the 1.40m competition to take the win in 68.17 seconds.
Max Foley and HHS Lexington also delivered a clear round to finish sixth.
Further Irish clear rounds came from Jessica Burke and Rial’s Varinjo in 18th, Niamh McEvoy and Jasmin d’Ariel in 26th, Jack Ryan and DSH Vigo in 33rd, Alexander Butler and Think Nice DC Z in 41st, and Conan Wright, who again produced clear rounds with both Oliva P. and I M Special Bella GB, finishing 37th and 43rd respectively.
Wright’s performance was particularly notable after his double clear in Thursday’s opening seven-year-old qualifier, when he finished fifth with I M Special Bella GB and sixth with Oliva P.
The five-year-old horses have also produced a strong showing from the Irish contingent.
In the second qualifier, Irish clear rounds came from Conan Wright and Ranfinity, Alisha Vard and Romai, Niamh McEvoy and BP Bob Rock, Coen Williams and GLC Mr President, Gemma Phelan and Vibe of Picobello Z, Emma O’Dwyer and Louxor du Feu, Chloe Fagan, Sam Widger, Conan Wright and Elfhaban van Beek Z, Gemma Phelan and ABC Mayflower, Eddie Moloney and Soco Flex, and Michael Pender and HHS Lugano.
The result provided further evidence of the depth of Irish young-horse production, with a number of combinations from the official Irish team among those faultlessly negotiating the Lanaken course.
The performances underline the strength and depth of Irish representation at this year’s World Championships, with Irish Sport Horses featuring strongly across the five-, six- and seven-year-old categories.
With the qualifying rounds now completed, attention turns to the next stages of the championships, with the Irish combinations at Zangersheide bidding for more success over the weekend.
Participation by the Irish teams at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
Team Ireland Selected horses are as follows:
Five-Year-Old Team
ABC Mayflower (ISH)
2021 mare by Tangelo Van De Zuuthoeve (BWP) out of Ardnehue Diamond Cruiser (ISH)(TIH), by Cruising (ISH)(TIH). Bred by Patrick Kehoe, Co. Carlow, and owned by Gerald Burke.
Ridden by Gemma Phelan (IRL)
Alpha SRC (ISH)
2021 gelding by Corporal VDL (WESTF) out of Tosh C (ISH), by Pacino (BWP). Bred by Ciara Woods, Co. Monaghan and owned by Kilcreene Enterprises.
Ridden by Eddie Moloney (IRL)
BP Bob Rock (ISH)
2021 gelding by Rock ‘N Roll Ter Putte (BWP) out of Arraghbeg Clover (ISH), by Captain Clover (ISH)(TIH). Bred by GBBS International Ltd, Co. Tipperary, and owned by Keith Ennis.
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL)
Cal Bos Rok Princess (ISH)
2021 mare by Rock ‘N Roll Ter Putte (BWP) out of Princess Pacino (ISH) by Pacino (BWP). Bred by Carmel Lynch, Co. Cavan, and owned by Stephen Lowry.
Ridden by Joshua James Lynch (IRL)
Castlefield Paris (ISH)
2021 mare by Castlefield Kingston (OS) out of Acapella Van Overis Z (ZANG), by Air Jordan Z (OLD). Bred and owned by Castlefield Breeding Farm, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Lotte Teuns (NED)
Elma Bo (ISH)
2021 mare by SHS Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Manory H (KWPN), by Hernandez TN (KWPN). Bred by Jack Ryan, Co. Kilkenny, and owned by Abigail Boland.
Ridden by Abigail Boland (IRL)
GLC Mr President (ISH)
2021 gelding by Conthargos (OLD) out of Mullentine Good Friday (ISH), by Untouchable 27 (KWPN). Bred and owned by Garreth Cassidy, Co. Derry.
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Glensensaw Soco Dreams (ISH)
2021 mare by SHS Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Glensensaw Sweet Dreams (ISH), by Uskerty Sweet Lad (ISH)[TIH]. Bred by Martin Hennesy, Co. Kilkenny and owned by Kevin O’Donnell.
Ridden by Grace O’Donnell (IRL)
HHS Lugano (ISH)
2021 gelding by Lucky Luck (KWPN) out of MHS Twenty (ISH), by Vigaro (KWPN). Bred and owned Bravo by Hughes Ltd, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Michael Pender (IRL)
Pablo TG (ISH)
2021 gelding by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP) out of The Pride Of Spancilhill (AES), by Washington (HOLST). Bred by Noel Glynn, Co. Clare and owned by Tara Glynn.
Ridden by Tara Glynn (IRL)
Soco Flex (ISH)
2021 gelding by SHS Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Flexamarenca (ISH), by Flex a Bill (ISH)(TIH). Bred and owned by Eddie Moloney, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Eddie Moloney (IRL)
Six-Year-Old Team
Boleybawn Alexa (ISH)
2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN) out of Arina (BWP), by Crown Z (ZANG). Bred and owned by Boleybawn Horses Ltd., Co. Wicklow.
Ridden by Harry Wood (GBR)
BP Indianna (ISH)
2020 mare by Mylord Carthago (SF) out of Babel (SF), by Diamant De Semilly (SF). Bred by GBBS Int Ltd, Co. Tipperary and owned by Liam Nichols & Catherine Burke.
Ridden by Taylor Peare (IRL)
Castlefield Tycoon (ISH) (Ballyv Mr. T)
2020 gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of Witty Luterra C (KWPN) by Lupicor (KWPN). Bred by Sean Stafford, Co. Wexford, and owned by Martin Egan
Ridden by Gerard O’Neill (IRL)
Galwaybay Jim (ISH)
2020 gelding by Catoki (HOLST) out of Galwaybay Anika (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Bred by Justin Burke, Co. Galway, and owned by John Ryan
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL)
GLC Little Pleasure (ISH)
2020 mare by For Pleasure (HANN) out of Mullentine Good Friday (ISH), by Untouchable 27 (KWPN). Bred and owned by Gareth Cassidy, Co. Derry.
Ridden by Rhys Williams (IRL)
Grand Amour KPCM (ISH)
2020 mare by Grandorado TN (KWPN) out of Ellie May LVS Z (ZANG), by Emerald Van’t Ruytershof (BWP). Bred by Karen Millar, Co. Down and owned by Adrian Williams.
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Isla Flight (ISH)
2020 mare by Ganesh Hero Z (ZANG) out of Greenacres Luidam (ISH), by Luidam (KWPN). Bred by Michael Callery, Co. Meath and owned by Marguerite Ryan.
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL)
MHS Mix de Blues (ISH)
2020 gelding by Aganix Du Seigneur Z (SBS) out of MHS September Song (ISH), by Plot Blue (KWPN). Bred by Michael & Sinead Brennan, Co. Kildare and owned by Matt Calderwood & Gbbs Int.
Ridden by Harry Wood (GBR)
Newmarket Pretty Lady (ISH)
2020 mare by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Newmarket Pleasure (ISH), by Newmarket Jewel (WESTF). Bred by Billy Daly, Co. Cork, and owed by Adam Ferris
Ridden by Kian Dore (IRL)
Ogue BT Grandato (ISH)
2020 gelding by Grandorado TN (KWPN) out of Ogue Ali Furist (ISH), by Aldato (KWPN). Bred by Anne Murphy, Co. Wicklow, and owed by BT Stables
Ridden by Ethan Ahern (IRL)
Parc Kesha WSH (ISH)
2020 mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of Ashton Ena (SPH), by Canturano (HOLST). Bred by David Williams, Co. Clare, and owed by Williams Sport Horses Ltd
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Seven-Year-Old Team
BP Vibrant (ISH) aka Knockane Bellicose Bay
2019 gelding by Vivant Van De Heffinck (BWP) out of Cruisings Lux Hill (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by Michael J Hogan, Co. Tipperary and owned by Gary & Leslie Hazelwood.
Ridden by Harry Wood (GBR)
Coconut BW (ISH)
2019 mare by Cardento (HOLST) out of Tuladai Della Caccia (SI), by Toulon (BWP). Bred by Ballywalter Bloodstock, Co. Wexford and owned by Dale Adams.
Ridden by Lauren Adams (IRL)
DSH Vigo Sea (ISH)
2019 gelding by Vigo D’arsouilles (BWP) out of Urban Sea (ISH), by Guidam (SF). Bred by Seamus Drea, Co. Kilkenny and owned by John Lyng
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL)
Galwaybay Winningmood (ISH)
2019 gelding by Winningmood Van De Arenberg (BWP) out of Galwaybay Merstona (ISH), by Mermus R (KWPN). Bred by Justin Burke, Co. Galway, and owned by Northlawn Farm
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL)
HHS Lexington (ISH)
2019 gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of HHS Chantilly Lace (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred and owed by Marion Hughes, Co. Kilkenny
Ridden by Max Foley (IRL)
JM Louisiana (ISH)
2019 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Looks Quality (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by John Lawlor, Co. Kilkenny and owned by Highfield Farm.
Ridden by Lotte Teuns (NED)
Kleio de Muse (ISH)
2019 mare by I’m Special De Muze (BWP) out of Legaland Rossas Girl (ISH), by Verdi (KWPN). Bred by Mcfadden Equine, Co. Tyrone and owed by Cavan Equestrian Centre
Ridden by Camryn Clarke (IRL)
Parc Violeta (ISH)
2019 mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of Ulanda D (KWPN), by Emilion (KWPN). Bred and owed by Paula Williams, Co. Clare
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Rosconnell Tango (ISH)
2019 gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Sophie (ISH), by Goodluck VDL (KWPN). Bred by Mairead Lacey, Co. Laois, and owed by Keith Ennis
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL)
The River Jordan (ISH)
2019 gelding by Air Jordan Z (OLD) out of Leahnoir De La Vie (ISH), by Pacino (BWP). Bred by Maria Griffin, Co. Clare and owned by Jim Derwin.
Ridden by James Derwin (IRL)
Wildcard nominated horses and riders are as follows:
Five-Year-Olds:
- Louis ZIII Du Hamel – Emma O’Dwyer
- Louxor Du Feu – Emma O’Dwyer
- Romai – Alisha Vard
- Valentino JS – Coen Williams
- Vibe of Picobello Z – Gemma Phelan
- Vintage Van De Heyveldhoeve – Sam Widger
Six-Year-Olds
- Codex Girl van Twelve Oaks Z – Rhys Williams
- Doris Z – Niamh McEvoy
- Kassie Devine Z – Jenny Rankin
- Olga D’Ecaussinnes – Kian Dore
- Playboy ASJ – Lauren Adams
- Ukina – Emily Moloney
- Umbrillio Van Het Kapelhof – Stephen Gibbons
Seven-Year-Olds
Tyfoon VD Donkhoeve – Kian Dore
Jasmin d’Ariel – Niamh McEvoy
Ocean – David Simpson
Orlando VZ – Daniel McAlinden
Rial’s Varinjo – Jessica Burke
Top Gun VD Bisschop – Sophie Richards