THE second edition of Connect, Select and Grow, hosted by Michael Doherty, took place at the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, on Thursday, February 27th. Sponsored by Plusvital, the sold-out event brought together breeders, stallion owners, riders, veterinarians, and industry professionals from across Ireland for an evening of knowledge-sharing, networking, and collaboration.

This year’s event featured four dynamic sessions, each designed to equip attendees with valuable insights and practical tools. The opening session, structured through pre-assigned tables, fostered meaningful networking opportunities, allowing participants to expand their industry connections.

In session two, geneticist and former Swedish Warmblood breeding manager Emma Thorén Hellsten introduced a range of stallion selection tools, showcasing how breeders can leverage objective data to enhance their decision-making processes.

An industry-first panel discussion in session three saw representatives from Ireland’s sport horse auctions - Ed Donohoe (Goresbridge), Niall Griffin (Monart) and Patrick Hester (Irish Horse Centre) - share marketplace insights. Their discussion provided valuable advice on how vendors can maximise their success and achieve stronger returns.

Niall Griffin, Patrick Hester and Ed Donohoe at the Connect, Select and Grow event hosted by Michael Doherty \ Aisling Creative

The final session featured EquiRatings’ Charlotte Smet and Diarmuid Byrne, who demonstrated the power of data in storytelling. They illustrated how data-driven insights can support federations, promote events, engage fans and elevate the sport.

EquiRatings' Diarmuid Byrne speaking at the Connect, Select and Grow event hosted by Michael Doherty \ Aisling Creative

Reflecting on the event, organiser Michael Doherty told The Irish Field:”I am incredibly grateful to our speakers and attendees for contributing to such an open and constructive event. Nights like this highlight the passion and drive within our industry. There is a real need for industry bodies to provide more opportunities for the breeding community to connect, learn, and collaborate. Thank you to Plusvital for supporting this year’s event.”

WHAT THEY SAID:

  • “This event was the perfect opportunity to connect with passionate Irish breeders. We greatly value initiatives that foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the industry. Learning from such a rich breeding culture allows us to continue evolving and refine our own approach.” – Lien Hendrickx (Mares of Macha)
  • “Every weekend I have the opportunity to meet with fellow riders at shows. For breeders, on the other hand, it’s much more difficult to get us all in one room. I have to thank Michael for organising such an event, which allowed me to not only catch up with old friends, but forge new connections in the breeding world. I came out of the evening feeling inspired and looking forward to the season ahead.” – Holly Lenehan (Castlelost Stud)
  • “Session 3, The Marketplace, was a unique opportunity to get detailed advice on how to increase returns, and what not to leave undone in pursuit of that maximum price. It was a great night. Well done to Michael Doherty and his team.” – Conor O’Leary (IFA Munster chair)
  • “Lots of information and experiences shared very openly, with a mixture of breeders, producers and vets, which was great for learning. It is fantastic to see the drive and energy behind events like this. Credit to Michael and his team for highlighting and promoting the shared aspirations of Irish breeders.” – Maeve Foley (Rider and breeder)
  • “A fantastic event for meeting with not just fellow breeders, but a great mix of industry stakeholders. A great way of making connections and bouncing ideas off peers with similar goals.” – Niall Walsh (Rausakeera Lodge Farms)