Minister for Agriculture launches 2026 National Breeding Services Grant Scheme worth €600,000
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) will award over €600,000 to 71 equestrian bodies, societies and show organisations across the equestrian industry in the 2026 Breeding Grant Scheme, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Minister Martin Heydon, T.D, joined HSI Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, and Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development, Dr. Sonja Egan, in Poppy Blandford and Aidan Killeen’s wonderful Grangebeg Farm, Co. Kildare, along with a selection of grant awardees to announce the allocation of funds to the 2026 recipients.
In total, 71 initiatives will be funded this year, and the grants will provide considerable support to the equestrian community around the country. The Breeding Grant Scheme provides prizemoney to breeding and production classes at shows across the island of Ireland.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Heydon said: “I am very pleased to announce the 2026 Breeding Grant initiative, and I thank Poppy Blandford and Aidan Killeen for providing their wonderful Grangebeg Farm facilities to us here in Co. Kildare.
“Ensuring that the Irish horse remains of the highest quality and that exceptional work continues to be done by Ireland’s breeders in producing top quality young horses for all markets is so important to breeders and producers around the country.
“The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s support of breeders and grassroots organisations through the Breeding Grant as delivered by HSI under their National Breeding Services contract is extremely important”
Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive, Denis Duggan, said: “We are delighted to be joined by Minister Heydon to announce this year’s Breeding Grant Scheme beneficiaries. As we have seen over the last number of years, demand for grant funding remains incredibly strong, with 100 applicants for funding this year.
“I commend the 71 show organising committees that are successful in securing funding this year under the DAFM-funded scheme and administered by HSI. This funding plays a crucial role in the breeding and production of the next generation of Irish horses by supporting young horse classes at shows across Ireland’s 32 counties. The Show organisers are largely volunteer organisations who rely on this funding to support their efforts across the country.
Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development at Horse Sport Ireland, Dr. Sonja Egan, added: “We are grateful to Minister Heydon and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for their continued support of this initiative, as well as to the dedicated staff in HSI’s Breeding Department. Their work ensures that show applicants, and subsequently breeders and producers, receive this vital funding, which rewards excellence in breeding and production while strengthening the development of Irish-bred and produced horses, here in Ireland.
“This scheme has grown significantly since its inception, expanding from support for 22 shows at €120,000 in 2018 to more than 70 shows and €625,000 allocated in 2026. The continued evolution of the initiative has delivered progressive and meaningful support for Ireland’s rare breed populations, while also underpinning the production and showcasing of young horses across showing, young horse eventing, dressage, and show jumping classes.
“We are particularly proud that this initiative continues to provide extensive and direct support to breeders. All funded shows must allocate a portion of their awarded funding to the breeders of successful horses. This ensures that breeders are recognised and rewarded for their breeding decisions, even long after a foal or horse has been sold. This principle remains central to the scheme and reflects our commitment to supporting the full HSI Young Horse Production pathway.
“I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the representatives from funded shows who joined us today – John Dardis, President of the Royal Dublin Society and Clare Silke from the Connemara Pony Show – Clifden”
Please CLICK HERE for a full allocation of funding for the 2026 National Breeding Services Grant Scheme 2026.
The Horse Sport Ireland Breeding Grant initiative is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.
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