In another boost for Irish horse breeders and the Irish Sport Horse industry, the latest World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) Studbook Rankings shows that the Irish Sport Horse Studbook has continued it’s rise up the Show Jumping rankings, to a recent high of seventh in the world.
The Irish Sport Horse Studbook has consistently been at or near the top of the WBFSH rankings for Eventing horses but has been outside the top 10 for Show Jumping horses for many years.
The Irish Sport Horse Studbook latest ranking position of seventh in the world on a score of 6,311 points, comes on the back of excellent results for it’s top six Irish-bred horses – two of which are inside the world’s top 11. CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH) bred by James Connolly in Co Galway and ridden by Shane Sweetnam, is now the eighth highest-ranked Show Jumping Horse in the world. Pacino Amiro (ISH), bred in Co Galway by Simon Scott and ridden by Bertram Allen is at No.11, while Up Too Jacco Blue (ISH), bred by Mark Sherry in Co. Wicklow and ridden by Austria’s Max Kühner is at No. 27. Rincoola Milsean (ISH), bred by the late Harold McGahern and ridden by Charlotte Jacobs (USA) is at No.50, while GRS Lady Amaro (ISH), bred by Denis Hickey in Co Wexford and ridden by Mark McAuley is at No 106. Sea Topblue (ISH) bred by James and John Meade in Co Clare and ridden by Andrew Bourns also contributed to the Irish Sport Horses’ score at No 108.
Irish Horse Board Director General Alison Corbally said:
“The last occasion the Irish Sport Horse Studbook was placed seventh 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 Breeding Sub Board, from 2010 onwards arose from the Showjumping 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! My sincere congratulations go to their breeders, Patrick Connolly, Simon Scott, Mark Sherry, the late Harold McGahern, Denis Hickey and James and John Meade who are the primary proprietors of this success.”
The Irish Sport Horse Studbook continues to perform brilliantly on the Eventing WBFSH rankings and is at No.2 in the world, just behind the Selle Francais (SF) studbook which holds the lead. Three Irish-bred Eventing horses are inside the world top 10 – Ballaghmore Class (ISH) bred by Noel Hickey in Limerick and ridden by Oliver Townend (GBR) is at No.2. Rehy DJ (ISH), bred in Co Clare by Noel Russell and ridden by Yasmin Ingham (GBR) is at No.9, just ahead of Black Ice (ISH), bred by Judith McClelland in Co. Down and ridden by Jerome Robine (GER).
BREEDING
CSF James Kann Cruz (ISH) – 2013 gelding by Kannan (KWPN) out of CSF Telly Cruz (ISH) by Cruising (ISH). Breeder: Patrick Connolly. Owner: Gizmo Partners LLC. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL)
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).
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: Jason Higgins. 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).
Sea Topblue (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Chacco Blue (MECKL) out of Sea Top Lady (ISH) by Lux Z (HANN). Breeders: James & John Meade, Co. Clare. Owner: Andrew Bourns and OBS Equestrian LLC. Rider: Andrew Bourns (IRL).
Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey (Limerick). 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 (Clare). 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.