IT is passion, determination and a knowledge for breeding and producing quality sport horses that the Horse Sport Ireland/Teagasc Young Breeder programme is trying to instil in its members.

There are not many yards that could emphasise the importance of breeding for purpose more than HHS Stud in Co Kilkenny. Fresh from breeding two medal-winning show jumping horses for the Irish Studbook at the World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, Marion Hughes is keen to stress the basics to the young breeders.

“Do your research and start with a good mare. It’s pointless starting with something average,” was the Olympic rider’s advice to the group of about 30 youngsters who are aiming towards the Young Breeders National competition in November.

“They need to be related to top winners. For example, look at the first few in Dublin, go and check them out, maybe there is a sister somewhere that is related.For instance, the Children on Horses winner in Millstreet (at the European championships) - it was a Douglas horse, I rang up after to see if there was any relations and there was,” she said.

As a rider, Hughes is happy to lend her advice to breeders. “Get advice from the riders, go up and ask them or send them a Facebook message, ask what sires they would recommend or for some help. As riders we want better horses bred in Ireland. It is better for us to buy horses here rather than going to Europe, it’s better for everybody.”

The leading lady rider believes that one of the most important traits to breed, in terms of selling sport horses, is a good temperament. “Most people with money nowadays are professional amateurs and they want simple well balanced horses,” she said.

“If they have good balance and a good attitude, they will always be an eventer if not a show jumper. I like them to have plenty of blood, to be attractive, have a good temperament and easy.”

She expressed her dissatisfaction at the platforms for selling horses in Ireland.

“If you think you have a really nice horse, give me, or any top rider, a call or send us a video and tell us what it is.

“Goresbridge is the only place to bring a young horse and it’s not good enough because the prices are so low, so if you can sell them privately it is much better,” she advised.

The young breeders assessed one of Hughes’ up and coming stars, HHS Inspiration (OBOS Quality x Inspiration), who she described as “as close to perfection as you can get, for both jumping and as a broodmare.”

pedigree

Marion’s cousin and well-known breeder Andrew Hughes, who is synonymous with the Ennisnag prefix, was also on hand to lend his advice and commended the young breeders for their “on the ball” observation during the linear scoring process. He too recognised the fantastic opportunity HSI and Teagasc were handing the young people.

Just down the road, the group were treated to a tour of his Ennisnag Stud, where they were greeted by some of the best pedigrees in the country. It is clear that Andrew Hughes concentrates 100% on pedigree and performance and has an unrivalled passion for watching his horses’ progeny jump on the world stage.

The foundation mare of Andrew’s breeding operation, the proven 1.60m jumper Arabella, roamed the front field with her foal. She was joined by Echo Beach, who jumped at five-star level with Cian O’Connor, and a full-sister to Philip Le Jeune’s world champion mount Vigo d’Arsouilles.

From a field of over 10 foals, Andrew informs the young breeders that every one of them is related to a 1.60m jumper.

“I won’t keep anything for the sake of it – I don’t care who they are related to. I only keep the ones that are the very best.

“I could have sold the dam of ESI Star Struck (Halona De La Vie) but why would I? Move your rubbish as quick as you can because they are only costing you money.

He added: “From one mare, I now have 20 mares and 76 animals. It costs about €120,000 a year to keep the operation going so you have to be smart. I think I have gone the best route – I have bought the very best I can, and I’m not sentimental to anything.”

Hughes is very active on the internet, always looking for new pedigrees and young mares that are for sale. “The continent is very stallion-orientated, all they want is the stallion, so it is easy to buy mares over there. I keep an eye on everything, you might find bargains for fillies if you look in the right places.”

open market

He regrets the decline of the thoroughbred in Irish breeding but believes, in this open market, that it is very difficult for a thoroughbred to prove itself. “Years ago, Ireland was blessed with some of the best thoroughbreds. In the 50s and 60s we had the likes of Bahrain, Highland Flight, Water Serpent,” he said.

“It’s such an open market nowadays, you can get semen from anywhere in one day. I can ring the stud and they will send it on a plane, I can collect it at 8am the next morning at Dublin Airport.

“It’s very hard to use thoroughbred blood because they aren’t proven, they are only covering 10-15 mares and it is difficult to use something that isn’t proven.”

Wendy Conlon, equine specialist with Teagasc, explained the difference in the term ‘blood’ saying: “When eventing people talk about blood, they mean thoroughbred blood rather than that athletic blood that a lot of show jumpers look for. It can, therefore, be confusing amongst older breeders as to what we are actually talking about.”

The final piece of advice summed up Andrew Hughes’ passion for the game, the industry and educating the next generation.

“You have to love this game, it’s seven days a week, 52 weeks a year. I don’t go on holidays, I have an understanding family. Lanaken and Dublin are my yearly holidays,” he said, as he plans his next move and his next superstar.