Irish Sport Horse Studbook Young Breeders team crowned reserve world champions

(Left to right): Edward Hennessy, Robert Deegan, Sarah Kavanagh, Ellen McWey (Seniors); Ben Kavanagh, Ashling Wall, Rowan-Alice Murhpy, Faye Delaney (Juniors)

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook Young Breeders team have been crowned reserve world champions at the 2026 WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships.

The World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses (WBFSH) International Young Breeders World Championships, which took place from July 16 to July 19 at the Lower Saxony State Stud in Celle, Germany, saw the Irish team, Robert Deegan, Faye Delaney, Edward Hennessy, Ben Kavanagh, Sarah Kavanagh, Ellen McWey, Rowan-Alice Murphy, and Ashling Wall scoop up reserve world champions.

Mr Hennessy, Ms McWey, Mr Deegan and Ms Kavanagh take home silver in the senior team category of the competition while Ms McWey also secured the senior individual silver medal following her performance at the championships.

Mr Kavanagh finished in first place for the athleticism assessment in the junior age group, narrowly missing the podium in fourth place for his in-hand presentation.

Other team members scored several placings across the various disciplines, with Mr Kavanagh placing 9th individually and Ms Delaney 10th in the junior group, and Ms Kavanagh coming 14th overall in the senior group.

The 12th WBFSH International Young Breeders World Championships brought together the next generation of international breeders from 19 studbooks across 10 nations for a competition at the highest professional level.

Competitors completed a theory test of 50 questions, assessed conformation of four horses, athleticism (movement and jump) of a further five horses, and presented an unfamiliar horse in hand over three days of competition.

Teagasc Equine specialist and team trainer Wendy Conlon said: "To achieve the title of Reserve World Champion is a tremendous reward for the dedication, commitment and teamwork these young breeders have shown throughout their preparation. They embraced every challenge with professionalism, worked enthusiastically to develop their skills, and supported each other every step of the way.

"Representing the Studbook on the world stage is a privilege, and I couldn't be prouder of how they conducted themselves. This result reflects not only their hard work, but also the strength of our young breeders training programme and the many people who contributed to their journey."

The young breeders programme is funded by the Department of Agriculture, and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland and Teagasc.

The Irish Young Breeders Programme provides young people with opportunities to develop expertise in horse breeding, conformation assessment, presentation and evaluation, while fostering friendships and networks across the equine sector.

The programme is open to all young people between the ages 15 to 30 years, where participants do not have to be breeders or horse owners themselves. All that is required is an avid interest and an eagerness to participate and learn.