Horse Sport Ireland announced today the opening of the 2026 National Breeding Services schemes, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

These schemes are open and available to all studbook breeders, producers, and owners in Ireland, and provides breeders with support for the breeding and production of sport horses, including Connemara Ponies. These schemes provide opportunities for pony breeders, owners and producers around Ireland to add value to their herd, in terms of breeding, performance and market value. Additionally, these schemes also support the welfare of horses and ponies in Ireland, education and knowledge transfer.

Full article available to read here https://www.horsesportireland.ie/2025-breeding-initiatives-opened-under-national-breeding-services/

Schemes available and open to Connemara Ponies are

• Mare Breeding Package Scheme 
• Mare X-Ray Screening Scheme 
• Embryo Transfer Scheme 
• Starting Scheme I
• Schooling Scheme I & II
• Environmental Testing Scheme
• High Performance Stallion X-Ray Scheme
• Colt Retention Scheme

Full criteria, terms and conditions of and applications for each scheme are available to read here https://www.horsesportireland.ie/initiatives/breeding-grants-schemes/ 

For further enquires please email [email protected]