Horse Sport Ireland launches 2023 breeding initiatives

By Agriland Team

June 1, 2023 4:21 PM

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Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) is delighted to launch its breeding initiatives for 2023 and open schemes for applications.

These schemes are funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) through National Breeding Services to the tune of almost €2.9 million, with additional production classes and events to be launched in the autumn.

Through several schemes, the DAFM, and equestrian governing body HSI have collaborated to ensure monetary backing for Irish breeders across the country, in all DAFM-approved studbooks and Irish-bred studbook-registered horses.

Funding for existing schemes has been made available and Irish studbook breeders nationwide are encouraged to apply for grants such as:

Horse Sport Ireland Studbook Series - show jumping (SJ) and eventing (EV);

Breeding Grant Sponsorships;

Young breeder programme;

SNP transition Scheme;

Mare Upgrade Scheme;

Mare X-ray Screening Scheme;

Starting scheme (formerly breaking);

Schooling Scheme;

Embryo Transfer Scheme*;

Stallion X-ray Scheme.

This year, HSI is delighted to introduce several new innovative schemes:

Premium Mare Retention Scheme;

Colt Retention Scheme;

A graded Schooling Scheme (I and II);

Environmental Research Report;

Environmental Sampling with the Irish Equine Centre;

ICSI* under the Embryo Transfer Scheme.

Availing of this year’s initiatives and schemes - funded by the DAFM and administered by HSI - will help equine breeders to grow their operation and ensure they have the best possible opportunity to make successful breeding decisions, helping them to boost sales and increase potential for elite performance.

	Scheme name	Description	Application deadline
Genetic gain - selection	DNA SNP transition	This scheme follows the first phase in the project to transition of DNA analysis services from Microsatellite (MS) to Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) technology with Weatherbys Scientific (WS), which was to re-analyse approximately 10,000 DNA samples allocated by DAFM-approved studbooks. In 2023 this funding will be used to sample sires and dams of foals registered in DAFM-approved studbooks	N/A
	HSI Studbook Series (HSI SS) (SJ and EV)	The series includes production classes for young horses in show jumping and eventing.	Click SJ or EV for details.
	Mare X-ray	This scheme incentivises owners of performance mares to complete an x-ray screening. Results of these screenings are fed back to mare owners, registering studbook and will be used in population genotyping	June 30, 2023
	Stallion X-ray	This scheme is mapped on the mare x-ray screening programme and incentivises stallion owners with stallions with performance/out of inspected parents to complete an x-ray screening. Results of these screenings are fedback to stallion owners, registering studbooks and will be used in population genotyping	July 3, 2023
	Mare upgrade	Supporting Irish breeders to import mares and filles in the top 10% of their studbook of origin to be endorsed into DAFM-approved studbook cross-breeding programmes. This supports the acceleration of superior genetics within the Irish herd and subsidises the cost to the Irish breeder of upgrading their breeding programme	July 3, 2023
	Embryo Transfer	The embryo transfer scheme seeks to reduce the generation interval and promote selection intensity of high performance/genetic value mares in the broodmare herd *This year ICSI will be funded under the scheme, provided there is a specific reason why the mare cannot complete an embryo transfer/carry/access to semen required	June 26, 2023
Genetic gain - selection intensity	Premium Mare retention	It is vital that we encourage breeders to retain and breed from high merit performance mares. A new scheme for 2023, the mare retention scheme focuses on the support for breeders to professionally produce mares where they do not have the capacity to do so themselves. Mare must be campaigned in the HSI SS/equivalent	June 26, 2023
	Colt retention	To encourage owners and breeders to retain and breed from colts which are of high merit or high genetic merit (rare bloodlines). This is a new scheme for 2023 and focuses on the support for breeders/owners to retain young colts (two years) who are of high-genetic-merit to Irish breeding programmes	June 26, 2023
	Breeding Grant Sponsorships	Support for breeding and production initiatives, classes and competitions at various equestrian shows and events. The aim of the Breeding Grant initiative is to provide a pathway for breeding and production groups, societies and show associations to apply for funding for classes, production events and training bursaries designed to aid in the production of young horses	Allocated across shows/initiatives
	Starting Scheme	Incentivise Irish breeders to produce future breeding horses* through a designated training pathway where the horse is currently ‘unbroken’ (three to four years old) *Kerry Bog pony breeders are permitted to apply for gelding	July 3, 2023
	Schooling Scheme I	Support Irish breeders to produce future breeding horses through a designated training pathway where the horse is four to six years* and by a producer with the required experience. *Kerry Bog pony breeders are permitted to apply for geldings and up to eight years of age	July 3, 2023
	Schooling Scheme II	Support Irish breeders to produce future breeding horses with performance (own/dam) through a designated training pathway (four to six years old) and by a producer with the required experience	July 3, 2023
Knowledge transfer	Environmental Sampling	Provide breeder/owners with subsidised support to have their equine breeding environment and feeding programmes assessed. This scheme would involve a farm visit by the Irish Equine Centre’s experienced scientists to sample various aspects of the applicants breeding premises (foaling stables, foal paddocks, water, fodder and concentrate feed)	July 3, 2023
	Young breeders programme	A joint initiative between HSI and Teagasc; the programme is aimed at those between the ages of 15 to 25 years who are interested in assessing, exhibiting, and perhaps breeding performance horses. Participants are not required to be active breeders – interest and an eagerness to participate and learn is all that is required	Events scheduled throughout the year - click here
	HSI Roadshow	A engagement roadshow from the HSI team to present and discuss prevalent topics to the industry	Dates to be released