Taylor Vard has named the 2026 Team Ireland Equestrian Young Horse Jumping Squad that will compete at the 2026 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships taking place in Lanaken, Belgium from the 16th – 20th of September
Speaking on his selections Taylor Vard commented: “Congratulations to the owners and riders on your selection, as always it’s not easy to put teams together and not disappoint someone, but Lanaken is just one show and there will always be a championship at every stage of our horses’ journey.”
“Feedback regarding the change to the five-year-old finals using optimal time has been mixed, it will be interesting to see how it is received at the championships.”
“The best of luck to everyone going and there will probably be some changes as we get closer to the show with horses getting sold.”
“Thank you to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and everyone in Horse Sport Ireland working behind the scenes to organise paperwork for our teams.”
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 are delighted to have such a strong team representing Ireland across the 5-, 6- and 7-year-old categories, and I would like to congratulate all of the breeders, riders and owners on their selection for this prestigious Championship. Qualifying for Lanaken is a significant achievement for every combination, and I commend all involved for the careful and consistent production of these horses through the national young horse classes throughout the season.
“I would also like to thank Taylor Vard for travelling across the country throughout the season to view the horses and for his thorough and considered assessment of each combination that registered their interest.
“HSI, and I personally, are very much looking forward to supporting the Irish Studbook teams at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships in Lanaken. We wish all of the competing breeders, owners and riders the very best of luck and every success at the Championships.”
Participation at the FEI WBFSH Showjumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses in Lanaken is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
Furter information on the show can be found here
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, county Carlow, and owned by Gerald Burke.
Ridden by Gemma Phelan (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, county 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, county Cavan, and owned by Stephen Lowry.
Ridden by Joshua James Lynch (IRL)
Elma Bo (ISH)
2021 mare by SHS Soco Blue (HOLST) out of Manory H (KWPN), by Hernandez TN (KWPN). Bred by Jack Ryan, county 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, county Derry.
Ridden by Coen Williams (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, county 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., county Wicklow.
Ridden by Harry Wood (GB)
Castlefield Tycoon (ISH) (Ballyv Mr. T)
2020 gelding, by Tyson (KWPN) out of Witty Luterra C (KWPN) by Lupicor (KWPN). Bred by Sean Stafford, county Wexford, and owned by Martin Egan
Ridden by Jason Foley
Galwaybay Jim (ISH)
2020 gelding, by Catoki (HOLST) out of Galwaybay Anika (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN).
Bred by Justin Burke, county Galway, and owned by John Ryan
Ridden by Jack Ryan
Kilbrackan Stakatto (ISH)
2020 mare by Stakatto Gold (HANN) out of Chambery De La Pomme (IFCE), by Elvis Ter Putte (BWP). Bred by Donal Cadden, county Leitrim, and owed by Bruna Batista de Oliveira
Ridden by Molly Hughes Bravo (POR)
Newmarket Pretty Lady (ISH)
2020 mare by Newmarket Venture (HANN) out of Newmarket Pleasure (ISH), by Newmarket Jewel (WESTF). Bred by Billy Daly, county 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, county 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, county Clare, and owed by Williams Sport Horses Ltd
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Seven-Year-Old Team
Galwaybay Winningmood (ISH)
2020 gelding by Winningmood Van De Arenberg (BWP) out of Galwaybay Merstona (ISH), by Mermus R (KWPN). Bred by Justin Burke, county Galway, and owned by Northlawn Farm
Ridden by Jack Ryan (IRL)
HHS Lexington (ISH)
2020 gelding by Luidam (KWPN) out of HHS Chantilly Lace (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST). Bred and owed by Marion Hughes, county Kilkenny
Ridden by Max Foley (IRL)
Kleio de Muse (ISH)
2020 mare by I’m Special De Muze (BWP) out of Legaland Rossas Girl (ISH), by Verdi (KWPN). Bred by Mcfadden Equine, county Tyrone and owed by Cavan Equestrian Centre
Ridden by Camryn Clarke (IRL)
Parc Violeta (ISH)
2020 mare by Kannan (KWPN) out of Ulanda D (KWPN), by Emilion (KWPN). Bred and owed by Paula Williams, county Clare
Ridden by Coen Williams (IRL)
Rosconnell Tango (ISH)
2020 gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Sophie (ISH), by Goodluck VDL (KWPN). Bred by Mairead Lacey, county Laois, and owed by Keith Ennis
Ridden by Niamh McEvoy (IRL)
Tullibards Pandora (ISH)
2020 by Tullibards Bennys Legacy (OLD) out of Tullibards Somanyquestions (HANN), by Grandeur (HANN). Bred owed by Hans Jurgen Kuehnle, county Laois
Ridden by Michael Pender (IRL)
Wildcard selected horses and riders are as follows:
Five-Year-Olds:
- Rhea-Duela – Taylor Cummins
- Romai – Alisha Vard
- Rustanza P – Shane Treanor
- Valentino JS – Coen Williams
- Vibe of Picobello Z – Gemma Phelan
Six-Year-Olds
- Codex Girl van Twelve Oaks Z – Rhys Williams
- Kassie Devine Z – Jenny Rankin
- Olga D’Ecaussinnes – Kian Dore
- Ukina – Emily Moloney
- Umbrillio Van Het Kapelhof – Stephen Gibbons
Seven-Year-Olds
- Jasmin d’Ariel – Niamh McEvoy
- Ocean – David Simpson
- Rial’s Varinjo – Jessica Burke
- Top Gun VD Bisschop – Sophie Richards
- Tyfoon VD Donkhoeve – Kian Dore
A reserve list of horse and rider combinations will be published next week