Debbie Byrne appointed as Eventing Team Manager for WBFSH Young Horse Championships
Horse Sport Ireland is delighted to announce the appointment of Debbie Byrne as Eventing Team Manager for the FEI World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Eventing World Breeding Championships at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA).
Byrne brings a wealth of eventing knowledge and experience to the position, having previously served as Chef d’Equipe for Ireland’s Junior and Young Rider Eventing Teams. As a former international competitor Byrne herself was on Junior and Young Rider international teams and evented up to 4* level. She holds Horse Sport Ireland level three coaching accreditation and brings a deep understanding of high-performance sport, underpinned through her background as an Associate Lecturer in Sport Studies.
The athlete expression of interest is available HERE and the official selection policy HERE.
Debbie had this to say of her appointment: “Irish horses are synonymous with success in international eventing; the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) eventing rankings speak for themselves.
“In this role I want to build a clear pathway for our young horses to progress from the WBFSH championships for 6- and 7-year-olds, fostering strong relationships with riders, owners and breeders from young horse classes right up to senior championship representation.
“Through previous management roles, I created development pathways for underage competitors, which are now bearing fruit at senior level, with riders such as Ian Cassells, Robbie Kearns, Susie Berry, Cathal Daniels and Lucy Latta. With this same ethos, I hope to establish a young horse development structure that encourages owners to retain their horses within Ireland and ultimately represent Ireland at senior championship level. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have already provided crucial support for national development and young horse championships. I look forward to building on this foundation to secure further successes for the Irish Studbooks team in Le Lion d’Angers.
“I am looking forward to working with the Irish Studbooks team, Horse Sport Ireland, riders, breeders and owners, and with a coordinated effort, I strongly feel we can achieve our mission to once again bring the studbooks team to the fore. My strong communication skills, organisation, experience, and passion for the sport will underpin a positive and productive relationship with all stakeholders in the Irish sport horse industry.”
Dr Sonja Egan, Head of Breeding Innovation and Development at Horse Sport Ireland, said: “I am delighted to welcome Debbie into the role of Team Manager with our Irish Studbooks team through to 2027. Debbie has an evident passion for the sport, with a deep commitment to the development of both human and equine athletes. Her experience – both as an elite competitor and manager of national and international teams – will complement her ability to relate to and support the team in preparing for championship competition.
“I’m excited to see Debbie make this role her own, drawing on her extensive eventing experience, her Horse Sport Ireland level three coaching accreditation and her academic grounding in high-performance sports systems. I have full confidence in her ability to lead, implement and adapt strategies that will strengthen the Irish Studbooks team performance at the championships.
“On behalf of Horse Sport Ireland, I wish Debbie every success in this role. We look forward to working alongside her to bring out the best in our young event horses!“
Participation at Le Lion D’Angers is funded by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, through National Breeding Services.
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