Taylor Vard has named the 2025 Team Ireland Equestrian Young Horse Jumping Squad that will compete at the 2025 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships taking place in Lanaken, Belgium from September 24th – 28th.
Speaking on his selections Taylor Vard commented: “I’d like to congratulate the riders and owners of all the horses selected for this Championship show. Congratulations also to the breeders themselves. It’s a squad I am very excited about.
“There were some difficult choices to be made with so many good horses to choose from. This year over 135 horse and rider combinations completed the Expression Of Interest form for the Studbooks Team and looking for a wildcard entry also. There will be disappointment for some that weren’t selected but that shouldn’t take away from any horse’s future.
“The loss of the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Champions Trophy this year is particularly disappointing as it takes away another show where Irish-bred horses can show themselves off on a bigger stage. So now the focus is solely on Lanaken this year to bring home medals as my teams have done in 2023, and 2024.
“I want to thank the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their support of the young horse classes that help prepare the young horses for these Championships, and to the team that support me in Horse Sport Ireland.”
Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development with Horse Sport Ireland, Sonja Egan, PhD, added: “Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to announce the team for the upcoming FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships in Lanaken.
“We have a strong team competing across the 5-, 6- and 7-year-old categories and I wish to congratulate all breeders, riders, and owners on their selection to compete at this prestigious Championship show. It is a significant achievement for all combinations, and I commend their careful production through the various national young horse classes in aiming to compete in Lanaken.
“Thank you to Taylor Vard for travelling to view these horses across the country throughout the season and for his thorough and careful consideration of each combination who registered their interest.
HSI, and I, are very much looking forward to supporting the Irish Studbook teams at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships in Lanaken and wish all competing breeders, owners and riders the very best of luck!”
For further information please click on the link below:
https://lanaken.zangersheide.com/en/home
5-Year-Olds (6):
In alphabetical order.
- 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 Athena II (ISH)
2020 chestnut mare, by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) out of Muze Abby Moyne (ISH), by Bamako De Muze (BWP).
Bred by GBBS International Ltd., Co. Tipperary,
Owned by Jenny Graham, c/o Ballypatrick Stables, Co. Tipperary.
Ridden by Harry Wood (GBR) - Castlefield Tycoon (ISH), (Formerly known as Ballyv Mr. T)
2020 chestnut gelding, by Tyson (KWPN) out of Witty Luterra C (KWPN) by Lupicor (KWPN).
Bred by Sean Stafford, Co. Wexford.
Owned by Martin Egan, Co. Wicklow.
Ridden by Jack Kent (IRL) - Galwaybay Jim (ISH)
2020 bay gelding, by Catoki (HOLST) out of Galwaybay Anika (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN).
Bred by Justin Burke, Co. Galway.
Owned by Eamon Walsh, Co. Waterford.
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL) - HHS Evora (ISH)
2020 bay mare, by Stakkato Gold (HANN) out of Shannondale Naomi (ISH) by Darco (BWP).
Bred by Maria Bravo, Co. Kilkenny.
Owned by Bruna De Oliveira, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Mikey Pender (IRL) - Tysons Lady Lux (ISH)
2020 bay mare, by Tyson (KWPN) out of Lux Brigade (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN).
Bred by Shay Hesnan, Co. Dublin.
Owned by Martin Egan, Co. Wicklow.
Ridden by Jason Foley (IRL)
6-Year-Olds (7):
In alphabetical order.
- Belle Mai (ISH)
2019 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Coolgrange Cruising (ISH), by Furistos Trump (ISH)
Bred and owned by Messrs Moxham & Brennan, Co. Kilkenny
Ridden by Vincent Byrne (IRL) - BP Lucky Clover (ISH)
2019 grey mare by Mylord Carthago (SF) out of Arrabeg Clover (ISH), by Captain Clover (ISH)[TIH].
Bred by GBBS International Ltd., Co. Tipperary.
Owned by Gary & Leslie Hazelwood, c/o Ballypatrick Stables, Co. Tipperary.
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL) - BP Othello (ISH)
2019 chestnut gelding by Ganesh Hero Z (ZANG), out Adelheid (KWPN), by Tygo (KWPN).
Bred by Ennisnag Stud, Co. Kilkenny.
Owned by Michael & Fiona Roche, Co. Tyrone.
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL) - GCS Angelina (ISH)
2019 bay mare, by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) out of GCS Athena (ISH), by Vigo D’Arsouilles (BWP).
Bred by Olivia Brennan, Co. Kilkenny.
Owned by Olivia Brennan & Miguel Bravo, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Eoin Brennan (IRL) - JM Forever Red (ISH)
2019 chestnut gelding, by Tyson (KWPN) out of Real Caroline (ISH), by Luidam (KWPN).
Bred by Jimmy Lawlor, Co. Kilkenny.
Owned by John Lawlor, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Jason Foley (IRL) - SDF Five Star (ISH)
2019 bay gelding, by Big Star (KWPN) out of Lux San (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN).
Bred by Samantha Fegan, Co. Louth.
Owned by Carol Gee, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Eoin Brennan (IRL) - Sumas Lumen (ISH)
2019 bay mare, by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN) out of Cillmhuire Imp (ISH), by Master Imp (TB).
Bred and owned by Suma Stud, Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Gemma Phelan (IRL)
7-Year-Olds (6):
In alphabetical order.
- Boleybawn Alvaro (ISH)
2018 bay stallion, by Dominator 2000 Z (ZANG) out of Arina (BWP), by Crown Z (ZANG).
Bred by Ronan Rothwell, Co. Wicklow.
Owned by GBBS International Ltd. & Ronan Rothwell.
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL) - CSF Thomascourt Zena (ISH)
2018 chestnut mare, by Zirocco Blue VDL (KWPN) out of CSF Princess Voorn (AES), by Prince Des Vaux (SF).
Bred by Patrick Connolly, Co. Galway.
Owned by Annemarie Dunne, Co. Carlow.
Ridden by Vincent Byrne (IRL) - Daliradas Boy (ISH)
2018 bay gelding, by Cornets Prinz (WESTF) out of Dalriada (ISH) by Diarado (HOLST).
Bred by Newberry E Wilson, Co. Tyrone.
Owned by GBBS International Ltd., Co. Tipperary.
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL) - HHS Flonix (ISH)
2018 chestnut stallion, by Aganix Du Seigneur (SBS) out of Echo Peach (ISH), by Clover Echo (ISH)[TIH].
Bred by Brendan McSorley, Co. Tyrone.
Owned by Marion Hughes & Brendan McSorley.
Ridden by Mikey Pender (IRL) - HHS Venice (ISH)
2018 chestnut mare, by Emerald Van’t Ruythershof (KWPN) out of HHS Fairy Fort (ISH), by Heritage Fortunus (HANN)
Bred and owned by Bravo Hughes Ltd., Co. Kilkenny.
Ridden by Mikey Pender (IRL) - WHS King Lincoln (ISH)
2018 chestnut gelding by Mr Lincoln B (ISH) out of Wineport Angel (ISH), by Lux Z (HANN)
Bred and owned by Michael O’Sullivan, Co. Westmeath.
Ridden by Kian Dore (IRL)
Reserves:
5-Year-Olds:
- BP Wishes (ISH) & Niamh McEvoy (IRL)
- CSF Seaview (ISH) & Alan O’Reagan (IRL)
- Kilbrackan Stakkato (ISH) & Robyn Moran (IRL)
6-Year-Olds:
- Tullibards Pandora (ISH) & Cathal Daniels (IRL)
- BP Hello Emerald (ISH) & Leah Stack (IRL)
- KPCM Contessina (ISH) & Darryl Walker (IRL)
7-Year-Olds:
- MHS November Rain (ISH) & James Brennan (IRL)
- Ceide Candy Heart (ISH) & Stephen Gibbons (IRL)
- GRC Casper (ISH) & Gemma Phelan (IRL)