THE 2024 Young Breeder National Championships took place on Saturday, March 23rd, at Kildalton Agricultural College, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. The event was hosted by Teagasc and Horse Sport Ireland, supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under ‘National Breeding Services’.

Wendy Conlon, Teagasc Equine specialist, said: “An enthusiastic, dedicated and focused group of 14-26 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. It was a tight contest with placings hard won. We are all very much looking forward to working with the group who have been invited to contest for the eight team places to represent the Irish Sport Horse Studbook at the World Championships in Denmark in July.”