HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has announced the team of horses that will represent the Irish WBFSH Studbooks at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2023 in Lanaken, Belgium, from September 20th to 24th.

A total of 19 Irish-bred horses will represent the Irish Studbooks – 17 Irish Sport Horses and two horses from the Warmblood Studbook of Ireland, with riders from four nations making up the squad selected by HSI’s show jumping young horse team chef d’equipe Taylor Vard.

Speaking about the selection, Vard said: “I am very excited about this squad. For sure, there were some difficult choices to be made with so many good horses to choose from. I had to keep in mind the challenges of Lanaken and the difficulties of qualifying for finals and what’s demanded of horse and rider.

“I also took into consideration the new WBFSH Studbooks Global Champions Jumping Trophy taking place in Valkenswaard just a week later and we’re going to need a strong squad there too. Hopefully this team for Lanaken can keep up Ireland’s great track record at the Championships and bring home some medals.”

Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development at HSI, Dr Sonja Egan, added: “I wish to congratulate all breeders, riders, and owners on their selection to compete at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Jumping Championships. This is a significant achievement for all combinations, and I commend their careful production and targeting of this championship through the various national young horse classes. These teams include several strong combinations and represent both Irish WBFSH Studbooks.”

Five-Year-Olds (6)

Gone Girl VB (ISH bred by Eleanor Byrne/ridden by Vincent Byrne); OKE Dixieland Rock (ISH, Martina McCrory/Brendan Murphy); Madgeslane Luidam (ISH, Mikey Pender/Mikey Pender); Ballinaguilkey Special Star (ISH, John and Barbara Walsh/Ger O’Neill); Ballyshan B F Super Hero (ISH, Gary Doherty/Ger O’Neill) Jump The Gun (WSI, Ann Connors/Nicholas Connors).

Six-Year-Olds (7)

Laurina (ISH, bred by Dr Noel Cawley/ridden by Leah Stack); BP Tiny Dancer (ISH, GGBS International Ltd/Niamh McEvoy); Mondavi (ISH, Ronan Tynan/Jack Ryan); HHS Mercedes (ISH, Bravo Hughes Ltd/Molly Hughes Bravo); BP Goodfellas (ISH, GBBS International Ltd/Niamh McEvoy); ESI Lucius (ISH, Ennisnag Stud/Harry Wood); Silverteal Indigo (WSI, Paschal McCarthy/Patrick Hickey).

Seven-Year-Olds (6)

HK Carrera (ISH, Ennisnag Stud/Torben Köhlbrandt); Curraghgraigue Jack Bro (ISH, Baden Powell/Gemma Phelan); LVS Goldrush H (ISH, Heritage Bloodstock Ltd/Ethen Ahearne); HHS Tokyo (ISH, Bravo Hughes Ltd/Molly Hughes-Bravo); Curra Ferro (ISH, Ronnie Hollinger/Seamus Hughes-Kennedy); HHS Cyprus (ISH, Marion Hughes/Mikey Pender).

For full breeding, see www.horsesportireland.ie