Irelands young horses, and their riders, have made an impressive start to the 2026 FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, with Irish combinations recording a series of top-class results and clear rounds across the five-, six- and seven-year-old divisions.The opening two days of competition in Belgium have seen Irish riders feature prominently across all three age categories, with Ireland recording victories in both the six- and seven-year-old second qualifiers, alongside numerous top-ten finishes and a significant number of clear rounds.The six-year-old division produced one of the standout Irish performances of the opening day, when Lauren Adams and Playboy ASJ took victory in Thursdays first qualifier.The combination jumped clear through both phases of the 1.35m competition, stopping the clock in 24.51 seconds in the second phase to take the win. Adams then completed an outstanding double clear on the podium, taking third place with BP Le Tara in 24.74 seconds, while Emily Moloney and Ukina also jumped double clear to finish fifth in 25.02 seconds.The Irish continued to make its mark in todays second six-year-old qualifier, with Niamh McEvoy and Doris V Z producing a clear round to finish an excellent second in 64.93 seconds.Doris V Z and Niamh McEvoy in action at the championships in Lanaken. Pic: SportfotMcEvoy also recorded another clear with Easy Peasy Indebus Z, finishing tenth in 67.43 seconds.There were further Irish clear rounds from Ethen Ahearne and BP Quarterback van T Veer, who finished sixth; Jack Ryan and Isla Flight, seventh; Stephen Gibbons and Umbrillio van het Kapelhof, eighth; Coen Williams and Parc Kesha WSH, 12th; Rhys Williams and Boreas KPCM Z, 15th; Kian Dore and Olga dEcaussinnes, 27th; Jenny Rankin and Kassie Devine Z, 29th; Sam Widger and BP Wishes, 33rd; Michael Pender and Cafe vd Berghoeve Z, 36th; and Rhys Williams and Codex Girl van Twelve Oaks Z, 47th.There was another Irish victory in this afternoons seven-year-old second qualifier, with David Simpson and Ocean producing the fastest clear round of the 1.40m competition to take the win in 68.17 seconds.Max Foley and HHS Lexington also delivered a clear round to finish sixth.Further Irish clear rounds came from Jessica Burke and Rials Varinjo in 18th, Niamh McEvoy and Jasmin dAriel in 26th, Jack Ryan and DSH Vigo in 33rd, Alexander Butler and Think Nice DC Z in 41st, and Conan Wright, who again produced clear rounds with both Oliva P. and I M Special Bella GB, finishing 37th and 43rd respectively.Max Foley and HHS Lexington impressed in Lanaken. Pic: SportfotWrights performance was particularly notable after his double clear in Thursdays opening seven-year-old qualifier, when he finished fifth with I M Special Bella GB and sixth with Oliva P.The five-year-old horses have also produced a strong showing from the Irish contingent.In the second qualifier, Irish clear rounds came from Conan Wright and Ranfinity, Alisha Vard and Romai, Niamh McEvoy and BP Bob Rock, Coen Williams and GLC Mr President, Gemma Phelan and Vibe of Picobello Z, Emma ODwyer and Louxor du Feu, Chloe Fagan, Sam Widger, Conan Wright and Elfhaban van Beek Z, Gemma Phelan and ABC Mayflower, Eddie Moloney and Soco Flex, and Michael Pender and HHS Lugano.The result provided further evidence of the depth of Irish young-horse production, with a number of combinations from the official Irish team among those faultlessly negotiating the Lanaken course.The performances underline the strength and depth of Irish representation at this years World Championships, with Irish Sport Horses featuring strongly across the five-, six- and seven-year-old categories.With the qualifying rounds now completed, attention turns to the next stages of the championships, with the Irish combinations at Zangersheide bidding for more success over the weekend.Participation by the Irish teams at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under National Breeding Services.Jack Ryan and Isla Flight jumped clear for Ireland in Lanaken. Pic: SportfotThe post Irish horses in contention ahead of world championships weekend in Lanaken appeared first on .