The Irish horses are here. The Irish riders are here. The grooms, coaches, governing bodies and breeding fanatics have all flown over for the annual battle royale of young show jumping horses.

It’s set to be a steady 22 degrees of Indian summer at Zangersheide Stud, Lanaken, Belgium, for the FEI World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Jumping World Breeding Championship For Young Horses.

I arrived with some fellow Irish breeders on Wednesday evening to the now familiar atmosphere of equine bustle and friendly festival feel, all set in a bucolic woodland landscape, close to the lakes in this Flemish region of Belgium, not too far from Maastricht.

‘Lanaken’ as it’s known to most, is attended each September by many of the most dedicated of breeders and producers from across Europe. It’s a must-see for anyone who truly wants to see how breeding DNA unfolds within the muscle and flesh of contemporary competitive sport horses. It’s also a place to talk with other international breeders and to maybe sell a horse or two.

From the thrilling championship competitions and the high-octane foal auction or stallion display, to the legendary craic on the dance floor in the often very late evenings, Lanaken marks the end of the breeding season for many and the beginning of thoughts for next season’s sire choices.

There may be champagne this weekend and there may be some laughs along the way, but Lanaken is serious business

Lanaken also showcases a squad of some of the best young horses in the world. Ireland are always dominant performers. I’ve had a couple of my best moments roaring home an Irish-bred with Irish rider to scoop the gold medal and the famous blue globe trophy.

2023 was a vintage year as Ireland enjoyed podium finishes in every single final, including a historic 1-2-3 in the five-year-old finals. I’m rather hoping for something similar this year. I can report that the Irish game faces are definitely on.

Chef d’Equipe Taylor Vard selected a total of 19 Irish-bred horses to represent our studbooks this year and I’ve been to see many of those horses settled in their Belgian home from home here, all looking like models of the breed and taking the travel in their stride.

Following Lanaken, all eyes will be on the team of horses that will represent the Irish Sport Horse Studbook at the 2024 edition of the WBFSH Studbooks Jumping Global Champions Trophy in Valkenswaard, Netherlands, from 25 to 29 September.

A total of 24 horses will represent the Irish Sport Horse Studbook across four age categories.

There may be champagne this weekend and there may be some laughs along the way, but Lanaken is serious business - we are here to do battle and to prove once again that the Irish Sport Horse is the best in the world. Good luck to all of our riders, breeders and owners.