Northern Ireland Horse Board

28/08/2026

⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE – CHANGE OF DATE

NIHB YOUNGSTOCK CHAMPIONSHIPS

As a mark of respect following the passing of Mr Dessie Gibson, the Northern Ireland Horse Board has taken the decision to reschedule the Youngstock Championships.

📅 NEW DATE: SATURDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 2026

The Championships were originally scheduled for Wednesday 2nd September.

We appreciate that the revised date may not suit everyone and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. All existing entries will automatically transfer to the new date.

Competitors who are unable to attend on Saturday will receive a full refund of their entry fee. Please contact the NIHB office if you wish to withdraw.

🏆 Prize money is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s National Breeding Services and delivered by Horse Sport Ireland.

Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to welcoming competitors on Saturday 5th September.

Please share.

27/08/2026

25/08/2026

**UPDATE: We have been informed that Breeding Grant funding under the DAFM National Breeding Services, delivered by Horse Sport Ireland has been secured**

🚨 **NIHB TO THE RESCUE! ** 🚨

We are delighted to confirm that **tomorrow’s NIHB Mare & Foal Show at Meadows Equestrian Centre is GOING AHEAD AS PLANNED!** 🐴

Following the appointment of an examiner to Horse Sport Ireland, uncertainty remains around the funding previously agreed for the event.

However, our breeders and competitors will **not be left disadvantaged**.

Should the agreed HSI funding not be confirmed, members of the **NIHB Board of Directors have personally stepped forward to provide a contingency prize fund from their own finances — not from NIHB core funds.**

NIHB Chairman Hugh McCusker said:

“Our breeders and competitors have always been our priority. I am extremely grateful to my fellow Directors who have personally stepped forward at very short notice to ensure that tomorrow’s show can proceed as planned.”

But for now…

🐴 **THE MARE & FOAL SHOW IS ON!**
📅 **Wednesday 26 August**
📍 **Meadows Equestrian Centre**

We’ll see you tomorrow! 💚

24/08/2026

All competitors entered for Wednesdays Broodmare and Foal show should have received an email this morning.

For those that didn’t, here is the information :

Thank you for entering our Broodmare and Foal Show, which will take place this Wednesday at the Meadows Equestrian Centre.

Running Order
· The running order for the day is attached (emailed). If you entered late, please note that your entry details may not appear in the programme; however, we do have them on record.
· The Sport Horse Broodmare class will begin at 10:00am.
· Foal classes (SJ Foal) are expected to start at approximately 11:15am. With eventing foal following after.



Arrival Information
Please arrive a little earlier than your class time so you have enough time to collect your numbers from either myself or Noeleen before judging begins.



We look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday.

18/08/2026

🐴 NIHB YOUNGSTOCK SHOW — ENTRIES CLOSING FRIDAY! 🐴

Programme entries for the NIHB Youngstock Show, taking place on Wednesday 2nd September, close THIS FRIDAY.

Classes for:
🌿 Yearlings
🌿 2 Year Olds
🌿 3 Year Olds

🏆 Prize money across the classes

Entries can be made online via nihorseboard.org

We’re looking forward to another great day showcasing the quality of young horses being bred and produced across Northern Ireland.

Prize funds supported by DAFM National Breeding Services, delivered by Horse Sport Ireland.

📅 Wednesday 2nd September
⏰ Programme entries close Friday

13/08/2026

Last call for entries for our Mare and Foal show on Wednesday 26th August. €2500 total prize fund, supported by DAFM National Breeding Services, delivered by Horse Sport Ireland.

Entries received after FRIDAY will not be published in our 2026 programme.

Entries are open again once more on our website.

11/08/2026

We are aware of an issue when entering for our Mare and Foal Show or our online Transfer of Ownership portal.

Our website administrators are currently working on the issue, and hope to have it resolved by the end of the day. In the meantime please email your entries into the office - [email protected]

10/08/2026

🏇✨ NIHB AUGUST LOTTO — WIN CASH + A DAY AT THE RACES! ✨🏇

The Northern Ireland Horse Board August Lotto is now open — and this month we’ve added another fantastic prize! 🎉

💰 WIN 50% OF THE LOTTO POT

🥂 PLUS 2 TICKETS TO LADIES DAY AT DOWNPATRICK RACES!

So not only could you walk away with half of this month’s Lotto pot, you and a guest could also enjoy a fantastic day of racing at Downpatrick! 🏇

📅 August Lotto Draw — Friday 28th August

🎟️ ENTER NOW via the Northern Ireland Horse Board website:

🌐 www.nihorseboard.org

Every entry supports the work of the Northern Ireland Horse Board in promoting and supporting horse breeding across Northern Ireland.

Good luck! 🍀🐴

10/08/2026

🐴 ENTRIES CLOSE THIS WEEK! 🐴

A quick reminder to breeders that entries for the Northern Ireland Horse Board Mare & Foal Show close THIS WEEK!

📅 Wednesday 26th August 2026

Our Mare & Foal Show is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your mare and this year’s foal, and we’d love to see another strong turnout of quality breeding stock from across Northern Ireland.

🌿 Don’t leave it until the last minute — get your entries in now!

💻 Enter online via the NIHB website:
www.nihorseboard.org

Please share and tag any breeders who might need a little reminder! 👀🐴

03/08/2026

The 2026 British Breeding Baileys Futurity Evaluations start in just over 3 weeks time, entries are open! Enter one of our 9 venues, or our online Virtual Futurity option.

More info here 👉 https://british-breeding.com/futurity