DAFM Studbook Series Eventing League 2026
Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has launched the 2026 DAFM Studbook Series for Eventing following the success of the new format in 2025.
The league will cover all age/height-appropriate Eventing Ireland-affiliated events nationwide from April 4th to September 19th and the DAFM Studbook Series League is generously supported with a total prize fund over €40,000 by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) under National Breeding Services.
For the first time, the 2026 series will include ponies provided they are studbook registered with a breed recorded. Horses/ponies with/without a recorded pedigree but with the breed listed ‘UNK’ are not eligible to participate or be in receipt of any prize funds. To take part in the league you must complete an online application for the horse/pony/rider combination.
This league represents an opportune production series for young horses and ponies targeted toward a career in eventing, and participation for Irish studbooks in the World Breeding Federations for Sport Horses (WBFSH) young horse jumping Championships at Le Lion d’Angers.
In this series riders, breeders, owners and grooms will be rewarded for breeding and production decisions through several league-based prizes. There will be a prize fund of over €40,000 available at the culmination of the league. Breeder and groom prizes will be awarded for leading performance in each category in the league results. There will also be a prize for the top mare and TIH and recognition and support for leading young riders and restricted athletes in the form of league prizes.
In addition to the DAFM Studbook Series league, Horse Sport Ireland are delighted to introduce funding for the leading six-year-old and seven-year-old in the CCIYH2*-S at both Millstreet International and Lisgarvan International. More information regarding eligibility for this prize money is available here.
Sonja Egan, PhD, Head of Breeding Innovation and Development commented on the launch: “We are delighted to launch the return of DAFM Studbook Series for Eventing in a league format. This worked well last year, and we hope that the earlier opening in 2026 provides breeders and producers with a greater opportunity to step their young horses up and produce five of their best runs over the season. Horse Sport Ireland and Eventing Ireland recognised that the former format of the Studbook Series was not well supported, and weather disruptions frequently impacted specific event dates. In addition, HSI have removed the fee for combination applications to the league, combinations are only charged the entry fees directly to the event via Eventing Ireland entry system. This makes the league more accessible and affordable for participants wishing to produce event horses.
“We have collaborated to develop this league to enable broader participation of young horses, athletes, owners, breeders and event holders to benefit from the value of the National Breeding Services fund – provided by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. League standings will be compiled by EquiRatings and available in the Eventing Ireland stats centre after each event. This is another value add for eventing stakeholders and indeed those abroad who are interested in tracking these young horses’ performance against their peers.
“Ireland is globally recognised as a leader in the breeding and production of event horses. This league seeks to continue to ensure that production opportunities exist nationally to support the age-appropriate development of young event horses in Ireland.
“We are very much looking forward to getting the league underway and wish all participants the very best of luck”
Please see DAFM Eventing Studbook Series League terms and conditions for more information on league eligibility, terms and conditions.
Horse Sport Ireland manages the league applications, which are available HERE.
Entry to the specific event and class are taken through Eventing Ireland as normal.
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