We had an exciting live on Friday night with Oonagh Kennedy, founder of The Youngster Tour Ireland, The Five Stars Tour and The Pony Stars Tour. Oonagh came on to join us to announce some breaking news.

To set the scene for those wanting to know more about The Youngster Tour Ireland and why this news is so important at a grassroots level.

The Youngster Tour Ireland is for Irish bred horses, to develop over the summer season with 20 Tour Shows available to them to qualify for the Grand Finals in September. The heights of the fences are started at a low level in May & the focus is on allowing the horses to develop rideability, bravery & in turn allow their bodies & minds to strengthen over the summer. 

The Tour has shown that horses can be allowed develop slowly and in turn get to their full potential as they get older. It is hoped to add longevity to their careers with a more sustainable & planned production.

Click the link here to watch Oonagh’s Full interview with Shane: The Youngster Tour Ireland Announcement

Oonagh Kennedy said ‘I am are delighted to have Horse Sport Ireland & the Irish Horse Register back on board for year 4 of the Youngster Tour. The Tours have had a very positive & productive relationship with HSI & it’s breeding department, 2023 will continue this good work. €14,000 has been pledged in total, €10,000 for the Youngster Tour 4 & 5 yr old Grand Finals & e4000 for the new innovative ‘The Pony Stars Tour’. This €4000 investment will be for 2 Grand Finals for our young ponies. We look forward to another successful summer of Touring!’

Outlining a small change for this year for the Youngster Tour Oonagh said:
👉The YT Tour qualifier shows are open to ALL PASSPORTS.
👉4 & 5 yr old Grand Finals will have a Final for DAFM approved Passports, prize money is sponsored by HSI & a separate section for non DAFM passports ie Foreign Studbooks.
👉The 6 & 7 yr olds + the 8 yr olds & over Tour Shows & Grand Finals are open to ALL PASSPORTS.

Huge congrats to Oonagh and the team for all the incredible work they are doing at a grassroots level for competitors, breeders and producers.

Tours like the Youngster Tour and The Pony Stars Tour are becoming key events for grassroots competitors to attend. They add real tangible value for breeders and producers across Ireland North and South. This type of support shows the impact the tours you are running are having and we here at The Grassroots Gazette are proud to be media partners with Oonagh and all the Tours.