2027 IRHA European Stallion Service Auction: Q & A with Helena Ryan
Showcase Your Stallion to Europe’s Ranch Horse Community
Image credit: IRHA European Stallion Service Auction (ESSA).
AUCTION DATES: NOVEMBER 15 – DECEMBER 15, 2026
The IRHA European Stallion Service Auction (ESSA) supports European breeders and exhibitors committed to true ranch horsemanship, fair competition and the enduring spirit of the working ranch horse. Participating ESSA sires represent leading bloodlines shaping the ranch horse industry today. Auction proceeds provide added money to select European events throughout the year.
Q & A with Helena M Ryan, APHA State Director, Western Europe (Ireland, UK, France, Spain), IRHA Advisory Committee Member and IRHA European Stallion Services Auction Manager:
Q: Why is this auction important for Europe?
A: It raises additional money for payouts, but also, it’s a step forward in how associations take action to support their European membership. It demonstrates how the IRHA is leading the way with its strong commitment to its European members and market.
As an APHA State Director I occasionally get feedback from the European western riders that they feel disconnected from their respective associations due to distance and language barriers, so this initiative is an exciting step towards mending that perceived disconnect.
The International Ranch Horse Association (IRHA) has an existing Stallion Incentive Program running in the US; however, the eligible shows are located in the US, and naturally European competitors cannot enter. Therefore there exists, simply due to location, an imbalance in the availability of incentives between the US and Europe.
Q: How will this auction assist in increasing European participation and growth?
A: In the history of either IRHA or APHA, there has never been a program specifically dedicated to European members. We would be breaking new ground in more ways than one. Irene Stamatelakys (APHA’s Director of International Membership & member of the IRHA Advisory Committee) and I (also a member of the IRHA Advisory Committee & APHA State Director) were discussing a way forward which would be specifically for European competitors. The European Stallion Services Auction (ESSA) was our answer.
Q: How does it work?
A: European stallion owners donate a 2027 breeding to the ESSA; the auction runs from November 15th to December 15, 2026. We will promote those stallions before, during and after the auction. Auction proceeds will be paid back out to European exhibitors at select European Shows in 2027. In this way, countless European ranch riders will benefit from the program.
Q: What else should we know?
A: Ranch horse classes are experiencing a huge surge of interest in Europe, and the IRHA is perfectly suited to help boost that growth and bring consistent riding and judging standards across the globe. Even more importantly, the IRHA provides a way for competitors to track their progress and achievements through their recorded earnings. This is a totally new concept for ranch horse exhibitors worldwide.
As an added bonus, we now have a dedicated page on the IRHA website for Europe, again a first. https://internationalrha.com/europe/
