For the second year in-a-row and for the 24th time in the 29-year history of the rankings, The Irish Sport Horse Studbook has topped the final WBFSH Eventing Studbook rankings. The WBFSH rankings run in a 12-month cycle from October to September each year and The Irish Sport Horse Studbook retained it’s crown on the Eventing rankings for 2023 with a final score of 1318, with the Selle Francais Studbook second on 1292, while the KWPN Studbook finished third on 1268.
Leading the Irish charge was the Noel Hickey-bred Ballaghmor Class (ISH) who finished as No.2 on the individual Eventing rankings following an outstanding season with Oliver Townend (GBR). The Noel Russell-bred Rehy DJ (ISH) finished at No.4 with Yasmin Ingham (GBR), while the Judith McClelland-bred Black Ice (ISH) was just outside the top 10 at No.11 with Jerome Robine (GER).
The six Irish-bred Eventing horses that contributed to the ISH studbook victory were all inside the top 20 individually including Cavalier Crystal (ISH), bred by Thomas Horgan, Oughterard Cooley (ISH)[TIH], bred by Gerard Lynch and HSH Blake, bred by Justin Burke.
There was also big success for Irish breeders in the final Show Jumping rankings, with the ISH Studbook climbing to sixth place overall – a rise of four places from 10th in 2022. The Selle Francais Studbook topped the Show Jumping rankings ahead of Holstein in second and Zangersheide in third.
The Simon Scott-bred Pacino Amiro (ISH) and Bertram Allen (IRL) were the fourth-best jumping combination in the world following an outstanding year, while CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH), bred by Patrick Connolly and ridden by Shane Sweetnam came in at No.12.
Also contributing to the sixth place finish for the Irish Sport Horse Studbook were, Up Too Jacco Blue (ISH), bred by Mark Sherry,and ridden by Max Kühner (AUT), Rincoola Milsean (ISH), bred by Harold McGahern and ridden by Charlotte Jacobs (USA). GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred by Denis Hickey, and ridden by Mark McAuley (IRL), and BP Wakita (ISH), bred by Greg Broderick and ridden by Roberto Teran Tafur (COL).
Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally paid tribute to Irish breeders and said:
“Congratulations to the breeders in the Irish Sport Horse studbooks in retaining first place in the World for the breeding of elite Event horses and achieving an impressive sixth place in the Show Jumping Studbook World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings for 2023.
“Our sincere congratulations go to the breeders of the top six Show Jumping horses – Patrick Connolly, Simon Scott, Mark Sherry, the late Harold McGahern, Denis Hickey, James and John Meade and Greg Broderick. And also to the Event horse breeders; Noel Hickey, Noel Russell, Judith McClelland, Thomas Horgan, Gerard Lynch and Justin Burke, who are the primary proprietors of this success.
“The last occasion that the Irish Sport Horse Studbook was placed sixth or higher in the WBFSH Show Jumping studbook rankings was 2007, some 16 years ago! Many of the production schemes put in place by the Irish Horse Board and Breeding Sub Board, from 2010 onwards arose from the Show Jumping taskforce, led by Col. Ned Campion. It is fitting that the collaborative breeders’ efforts combined with expert industry led policies and government funding, have assisted in the production of such horses for Ireland today. The six horses that are the highest placed Irish Sport Horses in this year’s ranking were born between 10 and 12 years ago – it’s a long road to breed and produce top International Sport horses!
“It has to be recognised that the ISH Studbook registers only 4,000 to 5,000 foals per year in comparison to the large European powerhouses of The Netherlands, Germany and France, so sincere congratulations to all the breeders and producers involved from the Irish Horse Board great result for Ireland.”
BREEDING – Eventing:
Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007, Gelding by Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey, Co. Limerick. Owners. Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop & Val Ryan. Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR).
Rehy DJ (ISH) – 2010, Gelding by Tinaranas Inspector (WESTF) out of Rehy Misty (ISH), by Big Sink Hope (TB). Breeder: Noel Russell, Co. Clare.
Owner: The Sue Davies Fund. Rider: Yasmin Ingham (GBR)
Black Ice (ISH) – 2010, Gelding by Vechta (KWPN) out of Brookhall Lady (ISH), by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Judith McClelland, Co. Down. Owner: Dorothea Von Zedtwitz. Rider: Jerome Robine (GER).
Cavalier Crystal (ISH) – 2010, Mare by Jack of Diamonds (SWB) out of Cavalier Iris (ISH), by Cavalier Royal (HOLST). Breeder: Thomas Horgan, Co Waterford. Owner: Charlotte Opperman Rider: Harry Meade (GBR)
Oughterard Cooley (ISH)[TIH] [aka Oughterard Sky Boy] – 2010, Gelding by Puissance (ISH)[TIH] out of Oughterard Sky Cruise (ISH)[TIH] by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Gerard Lynch, Co. Clare. Owners: Liz Magennis & Debbie Whalley. Rider: Wills Oakden (GBR)
HSH Blake (ISH) [aka Galwaybay Blake] – 2015, Gelding by Tolan R (KWPN) out of Doughiska Lass (ISH), by Kannan (KWPN). Breeder: Justin Burke. Owner: Meses. Hoff, Martin, C. Pamuckcu & D. Pamuckcu. Rider: Caroline Pamukcu (USA)
BREEDING – Show Jumping
Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012, Gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH), by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal.
Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL).
CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH) – 2013, Gelding by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH), by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Patrick Connolly, Co. Galway. Owner: Gizmo Partners LLC. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL).
Up Too Jacco Blue (ISH) – 2011, Gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Celestial Up Too (ISH), by ARD VDL Douglas (KWPN). Breeder: Mark Sherry, Co. Wicklow. Owner: Hans Christian Jacobsen. Rider: Max Kühner (AUT).
Rincoola Milsean (ISH) – 2013, Gelding by Aldatus Z (OLD) out of Rincoola Abu (ISH)[TIH], by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Harold McGahern, Co. Longford. Owner: North Star Sporthorses. Rider: Charlotte Jacobs (USA).
GRS Lady Amaro (ISH) – 2013, Mare by Amaretto Darco (BWP) out of Legal Lady (TB), by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co. Wexford.
Owner: S.n.c McAuley. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRL).
BP Wakita (ISH) – 2013, Mare by Pacino (BWP) out of BP Masterpiece (ISH), by Cruising (ISH)[TIH]. Breeder: Greg Broderick, Co. Tipperary. Owner: Trefoil Farm LLC. Rider: Roberto Teran Tafur (COL).