EYBS 2018

The YMA team of Handlers who participated in the European Young Breeders School achieved one of the best ever team performance results which is a tremendous reflection on all Young Members.

Team members were Conor Lynch, Jack O’Neill (Limerick Clare club), James Gildea, Kane Boal (Galway club), Sinead O’Sullivan, Stacey O’Sullivan and Jason Helen (Cork club).

The Young Breeder School is a competition for Young Members to compete at European level. All aspects of calf preparation for show¬ing is incorporated and there are workshops and demos provided as part of the educational aspect. IHFA is grateful for the invite from the organisers AWE – the Herdbook of the Wallonia region, Belgium.

The team members accompanied by leaders Kevin Walsh and Clodagh Helen gathered at Dublin airport on Tuesday August 28th for the week-long event. The prospect of competing at European level was a proud occassion for the families and clubs of those in¬volved.
Having arrived into Brussles airport, the team were taken under the wing of host families. The busy surroundings of the Hall de Criée, Herve would become a very familiar setting for the next five days with very early starts, a packed itinerary daily and the focus of com¬peting in the show at the weekend filling the daily routine.

Stacey O Sullivan & Sinead O Sullivan both lead calves who placed 1st in their individual classes in the show on Saturday. In showmanship classes; Conor Lynch 2nd, Jack O’Neill 2nd, Stacey O’Sullivan 2nd and Sinead O’Sullivan 1st. This led to us having four team members in the handling championship. Stacey & Sinead both made the top 6 in the championship and Sinead was awarded Reserve Champion Handler! Stacey finished 14th overall in all competitions and Sinead finished a brilliant 3rd overall!!

Team leaders Kevin Walsh and Clodagh Helen were very impressed how the team worked and how enthusiastic they all were to have the experience.