Irish Riders Deliver Strong Cross Country Performances at 2025 World Breeding Championships

Following an exhilarating cross country phase at the World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses 2025, the Irish contingent of riders and young horses from the Irish Studbooks have delivered a commendable performance on the world stage with a number of combinations firmly in the hunt for top positions.

Sitting within a pole of gold in the six-year-old division is Ian Cassells riding Rutland Flamenco (ISH) currently in fourth position. Also featuring in the top ten are both Aoife Clark with Lislee Honey (ISH) and Harry Horgan with HHE Fernhill McCoy (ISH) in eight and nineth respectively. All three combinations have remained on their dressage score heading into the final showjumping phase tomorrow.

Ian Cassells is also best of the Irish in the seven-year-old division in seventh position riding Noah W (KWPN), adding nothing to their dressage score. Also featuring in the top ten is Sam Watson riding Ballybolger Goldman (ISH) in nineth, adding just 0.8 time penalties to his dressage. Other Irish combinations who delivered a clear round today were Patrick Byrne and Belline Castle ONR Candy (ISH), Noel Dunne and Kief Rhapsody of Belline (ISH), Robbie Kearns and Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH), and Sian Coleman and Cairnview Crystal Springs (ISH), all sitting within the top thirty.

It is all to play for tomorrow and we wish the Irish horses and riders well in the final phase!

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

What a day of sport!! Our 6yo’s made the course look easy & cruised around within the time. This age group amazes me how they have taken it all quite literally in their stride.

The 7yo class was causing a lot of trouble, especially as the sunlight changed over some of the xc fences. Alyssa O’Neill & DS Candescent were unlucky to have not adequately jumped the influential corner at 7 & were stopped later in the course. The remainder of the horses looked classy around a tough track & finished well

Our three six-year-olds are now lying in the top 10, which is an amazing achievement. The seven-year-olds have moved up the leader board, with 2 sitting nicely in the top 10.

The horses are all looking fresh this evening which is promising for tomorrow. We are looking forward to another good day

Breeding:

Rutland Flamenco (ISH). Mare by Casallco (HOLST) out of Red Flamenco (ISH), by Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP). Bred by Eugene McEntee, Co. Down.

Lislee Honey (ISH). Mare by Lagans OBOS Quality (ISH) out of Lislee Beauty (ISH), by Kasmayo (TB). Bred by Charles Dullea, Co. Cork.

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.

Noa W (KWPN). Gelding by Baltic VDL (KWPN) out of Gucretia (KWPN), by Indoctro (HOLST). Bred by G. Wierts, Netherlands.

Ballybolger Goldman (ISH). Gelding by Tullabeg Fusion (ISH) out of Warcraft Kate (TB), by Warcraft (TB). Bred by Rosemary Ponsonby, Co. Tipperary.

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,

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.

Belline Thistle Bethelasttime (ISH). Mare by Grafenstolz (TRAK) out of Karmyn (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Bred by Johnston Brodie, Co. Wexford.

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.

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

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