Dressage Phase Concludes at Le Lion-d’Angers World Breeding Championships

The first phase of competition has come to a close at the 2025 FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses, as two days of dressage wrapped up today, and Ireland’s hopefuls can be proud of their position going into tomorrow’s cross‑country test

With scores now finalized, the leaderboard is set heading into tomorrow’s highly anticipated cross-country phase. All three Irish combinations in the six-year-old section hold a position in the top 20 with Ian Cassels posting a fantastic score of 28.9 on board Ruthland Flamenco (ISH) to hold eight place overnight. This exciting combination have been on form all season and is less than two marks off a medal position.

There were also strong performances from Irish riders in the seven -year-old section today with Robbie Kearns best of the Irish in fifteenth position riding Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH) on a score of 31.3. The scores across the seven-year-old division are tight with less than thirteen marks separating the top and bottom of the leaderboard, so it is all to play for in tomorrow’s cross country. The leading Irish bred horse in the seven-year-old section is Boleybawn Oliva (ISH) ridden by Americas Hallie Coon sitting in overnight silver position. The mare by Jorado (KWPN) out of C-Jumps (SCSL), by Cicero Z Van Paemal (BWP) was bred in county Wicklow by Boleybawn Horses Ltd.

Debbie Byrne, Chef d’Equipe, Eventing Young Horse Squad:

After the dressage phase for both age categories, there is a real positive vibe within the entire team. All the horses managed to allow their riders to ride their test in a very atmospheric setting.

The 6yo’s all performed well & Harrys & Aoife’s horses are tall athletes who will strengthen up for next year but showed serious potential in this phase. Ian rode a lovely test & sits very competitively at this stage.

The 7yo’s really had to work for their scores as the dressage judges definitely weren’t giving away marks in general throughout the two days. But again, the horses allowed their riders to ride their test, so at this stage in proceedings I am very happy

XC tomorrow for the 7yo’s asks questions the whole way but there are alternatives, & I feel they have made the 6yo class a little stronger from last year.

I have a good set of riders & horses who really jump, so I’m excited to see them ‘do their thing’ tomorrow & see how we stand tomorrow evening

The atmosphere within ‘camp’ is fantastic with everyone pulling each other along, & it is great to have so many owners that have travelled.

Irish selected Horse/Riders:

Six Year Olds

HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) (was JAG Lovestory). Gelding by Tyson (KWPN) out of CSF Salut Flamenco (ISH) by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Jag Equestrian, Co. Kildare, owned by Fiona O’Hara and Harry Horgan and ridden by Harry Horgan (IRL).

Lislee Honey (ISH). Mare by Lagans OBOS Quality (ISH) out of Lislee Beauty (ISH), by Kasmayo (TB). Bred by Charles Dullea, Co. Cork, and owned and ridden by Aoife Clarke (IRL).

Rutland Flamenco (ISH). Mare by Casallco (HOLST) out of Red Flamenco (ISH), by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Eugene McEntee, Co. Down, owned by Patrick (Dick) Murphy, and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL).

Seven Year Olds

Ballybolger Goldman (ISH). Gelding by Tullabeg Fusion (ISH) out of Warcraft Kate (TB), by Warcraft (TB). Bred by Rosemary Ponsonby, Co. Tipperary, owned by Hannah Watson and ridden by Sam Watson (IRL).

Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH). Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Castle Roller Coaster (ISH), by High Roller (ISH). Bred by Noel Ruane, Co. Sligo, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Paddy Byrne (IRL).

Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH). Mare by Grafenstolz (TRAK) out of Karmyn (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Bred by Johnston Brodie, Co. Wexford, owned by Richard Ames and ridden by Robbie Kearns (IRL)

Cairnview Crystal Springs (ISH). Mare by Tolan R (KWPN) out of Cairnview Clover Crystal (ISH)(TIH), by Clover Hill (ID). Bred and owned by Geraldine Quinn, Co. Longford and ridden by Sian Coleman (IRL).

DS Candescent (ISH). Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Largan Lady Cruise (ISH), by Cruising For Chics (ISH). Bred by Liam Lynskey, Co. Mayo, owned by Deborah McCann and Alyssa O’Neill and ridden by Alyssa O’Neill (IRL).

Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH): Gelding by Sligo Candy Boy (ISH) out of Lissangle Lux The Business (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Bred by Kieran Fahey, Co. Cork, owned by Jenny Curley and ridden by Noel Dunne (IRL).

Noa W (KWPN). Gelding by Baltic VDL (KWPN) out of Gucretia (KWPN), by Indoctro (HOLST). Bred by G. Wierts, Netherlands, owned by Nuala McDonald and ridden by Ian Cassells (IRL).

Irish studbooks participation in Le Lion d’Angers is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services

The post Dressage Phase Concludes at Le Lion-d’Angers World Breeding Championships appeared first on .