ISH Young Breeders National Competition & Breeders Forum 2019

The 2019 Irish Sport Horse  Young Breeders National Competition took place on Jan 26^th at Ravensdale Equestrian Centre in Dundalk, Co. Louth jointly organized by Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland. The event was generously supported by Connollys Red Mills, and Horseware Ireland.

A dedicated and focused group of 14-25 year olds demonstrated their skills as horse handlers, their knowledge in assessment of conformation and athleticism traits of horses; while also completing a theory test on equine health and welfare; nutrition; stable management and the sport.

Highly respected and experienced industry professionals Jack Doyle (Coach and ex international showjumper), Andrew Hughes (Ennisnag Stud), Philip Scott (Barnfield Equestrian) and Richard Sheane (Cooley Farm) not only assessed the skills of the handlers, but set the standards for their younger counterparts to match in the assessment of the horses. The day doubled up as a forum for breeders to learn from and interact with the judges on the traits and requirements for the sports of show jumping and eventing in relation to breeding stock and horses for market. A superb selection of sport horses were professionally presented by Thomas Quigley from Co. Carlow providing excellent subjects for discussion.

The competition itself acts as the first step in the qualification process for team participants to represent the Irish Sport Horse Studbook at the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Young Breeders World Championship 2019  to be held in Stadl Paura Austria from the 19^th to 22^nd July 2019.

Senior (20-25 yrs) Competition Winners were:

1. Conor Wixted, Co. Clare
2. Melissa Glynn, Co. Roscommon
3. Amy Finn, Co. Kilkenny

(L:R) Conor Wixted Senior National Champion Young Breeder for 2019 and Wendy Conlon Teagasc Equine Advisor.

Junior (16-19 yrs) Competition Winners were:

1. Dan Geaney, Co. Kerry
2. Michelle Dunne, Co. Dublin
3. Danielle Boland, Co. Tipperary

(L:R) Junior Prize Winners and Judges: Andrew Hughes, Philip Scott, Danielle Boland, Michelle Dunne, Dan Geaney, Jack Doyle and Richard Sheane.

Youth (14/15 yrs) Competition Winners were:

1^st Anya Teuton, Newtownards, Co. Down

2^nd Shane Donohue Ballina, Co. Mayo

3^rd Tiana Kyle Navan, Co. Meath

(L:R) Youth Prize Winners and Judges: Philip Scott, Anya Teuten, Shane Donohue, Tiana Kyle, Jack Doyle and  Richard Sheane.

The winners will be joined by seniors Kevin Finn, Kathryn Jones, Christine O’Donnell, Sarah Brashaw, Conor Mahon and juniors Ellie Duggan, Edward Hennessy, Laura Dennehy, Katie Dinneen and Tara Timlin to battle it out over a further four selection days in March and April to identify four 16-19 year olds and four 20-25 year olds who will travel to Austria in July 2019 to represent the ISH Studbook at the International Young Breeders World Championships.

The next training date for ISH Young Breeders open to all 20-25 year olds takes place at Connolly Stud Farm, Tuam, Co. Galway on Feb 9^th where those aged 14-25 years have the opportunity to learn from established successful prize winning breeders Pat & Shane Connolly (CSF) with the additional tutelage of Teagasc Equine Specialists and trainers Philip Scott, and Tiernan Gill, Brooklands Bedding.

More information on can be found on the ISH Young Breeders page on Facebook,  www.teagasc.ie or on www.horsesportireland.ie