National Young Breeders Careers Workshop

Young Breeders Careers Workshop for those aged 14-25 years of age takes place on Thursday October 29^th at the Keadeen Hotel Newbridge from 2pm – 8pm. The event is jointly hosted by Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland with a theme of ‘Career Options and Opportunities’ within the sector. The workshop also commences the road to the WBFSH Young Breeder World Championships in Calgary, Canada 2017 and to get in the spirit for this will include a fun Table Team competition assessing athleticism traits of horses shown by video.

A diverse line up of speakers will tread the stage for the afternoon and evening. Panelists for the first session which looks to the health and husbandry aspect of the industry includes Professor Tom Buckley the Head of Microbiology at the Irish Equine Centre. Dr. Vivenne Duggan a lecturer at the school of veterinary in UCD, and practicing at the UCD Vet Hospital amongst other roles, also joins the panel. Anne Channon of the Irish Farrier Authority completes this panel along with John Doyle an equine dentist and national show jumping course builder. Chair for this session is Wendy Conlon Teagasc Equine Specialist.

The second panel of the afternoon focuses on riders, production and sales and welcomes Dermott Lennon, a member of the Irish show jumping team, a former Individual World Show Jumping Champion and a European Team Champion. Cathal Daniels who has achieved so much in his young years joins Dermott. Cathal has a hoard of team and individual championship medals from recent years and  competes as part of the Irish team at Boekelo CCIO3* in the Netherlands this week. Joining these stalwart of the sport sector is five times Irish Champion jockey, now trainer, Johnny Murtagh and giant of the thoroughbred sector. Chair for this session is Brendan McArdle from The Irish Field.

A fun and interactive team competition will give an opportunity to discuss with the panel of long serving young breeders programme trainers and judges Tiernan Gill and Philip Scott, joined by Dermott Lennon the athleticism attributes required by the competition arenas today. Attendees will be randomly allocated to teams (there is no requirement to enter the day as part of a team) to assess movement and jump traits with guidance from the panel and discussion before and afterwards. This session will be chaired by Declan McArdle, Teagasc Equine Specialist.

The fourth  and final panel session looks to organisations within the industry. Joining this panel are Horse Sport Irelands Director of Breeding and Programmes including coaching, Alison Corbally, and International Marketing Director Elaine Hatton. Brendan McArdle marketing manager with The Irish Field, and commentator for RTE, Radio 1 and race meetings will share his story. Also on the panel to discuss his career path will be Declan McArdle Teagasc Equine Specialist and BHSI and the session will be chaired again by Wendy Conlon.

To round up a day aimed to promote thought and discussion around the challenges and opportunities for the future of today’s youth within the sector there will be presentation of prizes to the top three teams on the day in assessing the horses athleticism traits.

CLICK HERE for a schedule of the day.

An online booking platform is available here: https://teagasc.clearbookings.com/component/jbooka/?view=listing&lid=124667&Itemid=41

All queries to Wendy Conlon 087 9879083 or Declan McArdle 087 6831876.

Keep the date free in your calendar and please book in advance. Keep a check on ‘ish young breeders’ facebook page for updates.