TEAGASC has assembled a top panel of speakers from the sport horse breeding, show jumping and eventing world for this year’s National Equine Conference which takes place at the Castletroy Hotel next Thursday, November 14th next.

Central to this year’s conference is the opportunity for those in the Irish sport horse sector to come come together, network and engage in discussion. Topics include pre-purchase veterinary examinations, the potential role of renewables in equine enterprises as well as the potential key challenges posed by Brexit.

According to Teagasc equine specialist and conference organiser, Wendy Conlon, two panel discussions will separately focus on the challenges and opportunities for breeders and producers targeting the event horse and showjumping markets. The panellists all have ‘skin in the game’ and a wealth of experience to bring to the table.

The speakers are:

Marcus Swail EquiVET Ireland

The subject of pre-purchase veterinary examinations is always topical and one which can make or break a potential sale. Not all veterinary surgeons may agree on the advice offered on a given set of x-rays, leaving vendors with more questions than answers. To explain the challenges involved from a veterinary perspective is Marcus Swail (EquiVET Ireland). Marcus set up EquiVET Ireland in 2008, an Equine Sports Medicine Clinic specialising in lameness and performance loss in sport horses and racehorses, orthopaedics and pre-purchase examinations. Swail has filled the role of Team Ireland Equestrian’s veterinarian for showjumping and eventing teams during the period 2003-2013, and is the team veterinary surgeon for the Irish showjumping, eventing and dressage teams from 2017 to the present day. In this busy role, Swail has attended three Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games and multiple European Championships.

Kate Rocher-Smith Dassett Eventing

UK-based international event rider Kate Rocher-Smith runs Dassett Eventing since 2005, having developed a prestigious international reputation based on quality and honesty. Dassett horses have represented many different nations at the highest levels of the sport including CCI5* (Dassett Cool Touch), international and advanced wins (Charlie Tango and Dassett Choice), and World Equestrian Games (Dassett Courage). Kate is constantly searching for exciting young eventing prospects to produce, buying unbacked three-year-olds through to those with some competitive experience.

Richard Sheane Cooley Farm

Richard and his wife Georgina are the brains and brawn behind Wicklow’s Cooley Farm, one of the most recognised names in equestrian circles globally and now in its 15th year of business. Cooley Farm ‘lets the horses do the talking’. On average the farm holds 100 horses annually and Richard is constantly on the lookout for new talent. Horses like Cooley master Class(Kentucky five-star winner 2018 and 2019) have kept the Cooley flag flying high at a global level.

With Richard buying at the scale of approximately 100 horses a year and engaging more in the purchase of foals as well as three-year-olds, he is very well placed to offer advice to breeders based on current offerings in the market.

Ralph van Venrooij KWPN breeding director

Ralph is the Breeding Director of the KWPN since September 2019. Prior to this, he was actively involved in influencing national and EU policy relating to equine and agriculture through his role as chairman of the Dutch Agricultural Organisation (LTO). Early in his career, Ralph worked as a selector for Rinus Blom specialising in young horses and stallion selection. One of his own breeding products, Tembla V, was active up to Grand Prix level showjumping, won a 2016 World Cup Class at Langley and competed at the World Cup final in Vancouver.

Richard Bourns Bourns Sport Horses

Richard and his wife Deirdre are farmers at heart, stock people to the core, and together with their son, Andrew, are world-class specialists in producing quality horses and training talented up and coming riders. The success rate of horses produced by them is exceptional. The Bourns family enterprise is based in three locations, Lisbeg Farms in Ireland where the young horses are kept; Peelbergan in Holland where the five to nine-year-olds are based to compete at top shows all year around in central Europe; and Lisbeg South in Wellington, Florida where the cream of the crop are showcased. Richard spends his time looking out for the next up and coming future prospects as well as older horses requested specifically by clients.

Harrie Theeuwes Stud 111 and Foal Auction 111

Harrie farms around 130 acres of land near Antwerp in Belgium. He formerly rode stallions like Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve Toulon, Thunder vd Zuuthoeve and Kashmir van Schuttershof. Harrie also now manages a showjumping stable, is an active breeder, standing a number of stallions at Stal Theeuwes/Stud 111. He also organises Foal Auctions 111 (both online only and live auctions).He has traded horses like Plot blue, Action Breaker, Portofino and Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve and bred Chippendale Z, Winningmood, Der Senaat 111 to name a few.

Both Ralph and Harrie have insights to offer on the factors that contribute in their opinions to the phenomenal successes of the KWPN, BWP and SBS studbook horses and their breeders. Harrie has been developing his own breeding enterprise for over 25 years now and also has some sage advice on marketing foals.

Richard walks in the shoes of the breeder and farmer, buyer, producer, and owner of competition horses. He is keen to share his own perspective on the opportunities for breeders here.

Dr. Kevin Hanrahan

Dr. Kevin Hanrahan leads the Teagasc national economics and rural development programme. Kevin is an economist with a doctorate in agricultural economics. His research work in agricultural economics has been largely based on evaluating the economic impact of potential policy changes. Kevin has authored many national reports significantly important in the process of Irish agricultural policy change over the last 20 years.

His expertise and leadership will be particularly important in relation to Brexit and providing relevant economic and policy analysis for the agri-food sector. In this context, he will provide some opening remarks at the conference to help set the scene.

Barry Caslin Energy and rural development specialist Teagasc

Barry specialises in energy use in agriculture. Additionally in his role as Rural Development Specialist, Barry provides support for individuals considering diversification on farms with a key role in delivering the Teagasc Options Programme and was instrumental in the genesis of the Opt-In web portal which comprises dynamic content regarding skills training, diversification and business development opportunities for rural families provided by Teagasc and collaborators including Local Enterprise Offices, Education and Training Boards, Local Development Companies, Skillnet.

Barry will provide some options to engage in the use of renewables on equine enterprises. There are opportunities to be smarter about energy use and potentially to provide additional income sources.

Where and when

Teagasc look forward to welcoming breeders, producers and all interested in the sport horse sector to the Castletroy Park Hotel, Co Limerick, for a 2pm start on November 14th, with registration opening at 1.15pm.

Any queries about bookings, please contact wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie or vanessa.keane@teagasc.ie without delay.