news
CATEGORIES   |   ALL UPDATES   |   SEARCH   |   DONATE

Polo provides opportunity for Irish racehorse trainers

Siobhán Herbst creates equine firm to supply alternative to dear Argentine bloodstock

Irish international polo player Siobhán Herbst (astride horse) with colleague April Kent: Ms Herbst is running what she says is Ireland’s largest polo event, for charity, in Phoenix Park.

Irish international polo player Siobhán Herbst (astride horse) with colleague April Kent: Ms Herbst is running what she says is Ireland’s largest polo event, for charity, in Phoenix Park.

 

Irish racehorses are being retrained as polo ponies as owners across Europe look for alternatives to increasingly expensive but top-rated Argentine bloodstock for the sport.

Wicklow-based Siobhán Herbst, who is a professional polo rider herself, is developing a business retaining the horses and then finding markets for them abroad. Ms Herbst said there is great demand for the sports horses, having sold 30 horses abroad last year into countries including Britain, Germany, France and Spain.

“The Irish racehorses are very adaptable, have speed and stamina and are very intelligent and proving to be a great alternative to very expensive Argentinian ponies,” she said.

The polo international – Ireland’s only professional female polo rider – also runs Polo Wicklow, a year-round polo centre targeting the corporate market. It also serves as a base for foreign riders’ training camps.

It also runs an annual International Ladies Polo Tournament in aid of the Irish Injured Jockeys Fund at the All Ireland Polo Club in the Phoenix Park, Dublin – the oldest polo club in Europe, having been founded in 1873 – which takes place next weekend.

Race jockeys

Alongside some of the world’s leading riders, this year’s event will feature a Trainers versus Jockeys contest, featuring some of Ireland’s top current and recently retired race jockeys.

One of the teams will be managed by trainer Jessica Harrington, whose father, Brian Fowler, won a silver medal the last time the event featured in the Olympics – in Berlin in 1936. Noel Meade will also manage a team. Harrington’s daughter, amateur jockey Kate, is a team captain.

Among those appearing will be former champion professional jockeys Paul Carberry and Charlie Swan, champion amateur Patrick Mullins, Nina Carberry and broadcaster Tracey Piggott.

Herbst is the family behind Herbst software, which started as a business providing business management solutions to the agri sector and has since expanded to the broader SME market.

 

Share

More Posts

WBFSH-ISBC Groundbreaking Collaboration Agreement Signed

On Saturday, 8th February 2025 during Jumping International Bordeaux, the WBFSH and the International Stud Book Committee have signed a groundbreaking Collaboration Agreement. This creates the foundation for the recognition and celebration of thoroughbred horses, their contributions to the sport and to sport horse breeding. But it is also an opportunity for sport horse breeding

Show Jumping Clinic with Tom Walsh

Treo Eile is delighted to announce an exclusive series of progressive lessons with the esteemed equestrian coach, Tom Walsh, at the Emerald Equestrian Centre. This will run across three dates: February 22nd, March 8th, and March 22nd, offering riders the chance to develop their skills and mindset under expert guidance. The sessions will be structured

IFAR 2025 Schedule of Events Announced

The 2025 International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) will take place April 24-26 in Lexington, Kentucky, and it will focus on aftercare organizations. The three-day event will be comprised of a traditional conference at Spy Coast Farm’s Equine Education Center as well a multitude of on-site visits, which will take place at accredited

Treo Eile Arena Eventing Leagues

Treo Eile Sponsoring 2025 Thoroughbred Arena Eventing With the new year hailing the start of various Arena Eventing Leagues, Treo Eile is coming on board again in 2025 to support thoroughbred participation.  With the addition of Killossery Arena Eventing to the established partnerships with Flexi Eventing, EI Western Region Starter Series and Stepping Stones to

CONTACT US

Clarendon

Digby Bridge

Sallins

Co. Kildare

Ireland

Newsletter signup