€600,000 allocated to 71 equestrian bodies in national breeding scheme
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has announced it will award over €600,000 to 71 equestrian bodies, societies and show organisations across the industry in the 2026 Breeding Grant Scheme.
This will be funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services schemes.
The Breeding Grant Scheme provides prize money to breeding and production classes at shows across the island of Ireland.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon joined HSI chief executive Denis Duggan, and head of breeding, innovation and development, Dr. Sonja Egan, in Grangebeg Farm, Co. Kildare to announce the allocation of funds to the 2026 recipients.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Heydon said: “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."
Denis Duggan said: “As we have seen over the last number of years, demand for grant funding remains incredibly strong, with 100 applicants for funding this year"
The HSI chief executive congratulated the 71 show organising committees that succeeded in securing funding this year.
“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."
‘Vital funding’
Head of breeding, innovation and development at Horse Sport Ireland, Dr. Sonja Egan said: “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 over €600,000 allocated in 2026."
She added that the “continued evolution of the initiative” has delivered “meaningful support for Ireland’s rare breed populations”.
“We are particularly proud that this initiative continues to provide extensive and direct support to breeders,” Dr. Egan said.
“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.”
