The Young Breeders Competition run by Horse Sport Ireland, in conjunction with Teagasc, took place at Gurteen College on Tuesday the 29^th of July 2008. Almost 40 young breeders demonstrated their ability to present young horses, under the watchful eyes of judges, Col. Ned Campion, Tom Slattery, George Chapman and Philip Coppithorne. This innovative competition also requires competitors to answer multiple choice questions on various aspects of sport horse production, to assess the gaits and jumping ability of horses while loose in the arena and finally to assess the conformation of three different mares in hand.

Following the presentation of the awards, where five of the six prizewinners were active Pony Club members, a delighted Alice Mernagh said “This is a tremendous competition for anybody involved in producing and selling sport horses and should be fully supported in the future; it builds upon skills taught in Irish Pony Club branches throughout Ireland”.

The winner of the Junior Section on a total of 382 points was Tony O’Doherty from Newcastle West, Co. Limerick. Tony and his family have always been involved with sport horses. He attributes his knowledge of horses to working at his uncle’s riding school, Woodview Riding Centre in Newcastle, and at showjumper PJ O’Sullivan’s yard. Speaking to Tony after the competition he said that “I found that I learned a lot from competing at Young Breeders Competition and will definitely be taking part in any future training or competitions”.

In the Senior Section it was Regina Daniels from Loughrea, Co. Galway that came out on top with a score of 369 points. Regina and her father, Gerry, run Callatre Stables in Loughrea, where they ride and school horses. In recent years Regina has been involved in Tynagh Pony Club and SJAI competitions. Currently she is dividing her time between competing in eventing and dressage. It was Regina’s first time to enter the Young Breeders Competition, “I felt it was more of a training day than a competition. The judges were fantastic and answered all of our questions. I really felt that I learned a lot from the day”.

Horse Sport Ireland would like to thank Gurteen College for hosting the event and Teagasc for their assistance in organising the competition. H.S.I. are also indebted to Andrea Etter for providing the horses for the competition and judges Col. Ned Campion, Tom Slattery, George Chapman and Philip Coppithorne.

1st Regina Daniels, Loughrea, Co. Galway
2nd Dairine O’Connor, Co. Kilkenny
3rd Amanda Fahy, Craughwell, Co. Galway
4th Lorna O’Carroll, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare
5th Fionn Corcoran, Shawgolden, Co. Limerick
6th Claudia Felstead, Dunmore, Co. Galway

1st Tony O’Doherty, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
2nd Charlotte Younghusband, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
3rd Emma Hosey, Ballickmoyler, Co. Carlow
4th Meggan Patterson, Bagnalstown, Co. Carlow
5th Olivia Hutchinson, Johnswell, Co. Kilkenny
6th Amy McCarthy, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow