Irish Warmblood
THE WELSH PONY & COB STUDBOOK (W.P.C.S.I.)
Warmblood Studbook of Ireland (WSI) was approved by the Irish Minister of Agriculture in 2009, and is a Full Member of the WBFSH. The Studbook was founded by three breeders who shared the goal of defining, stewarding, and promoting a new breed of horse based on continental warmblood genetics, the Irish Warmblood. At WSI our sights are set on breeding athletes that can compete at top levels in Showjumping, Eventing, and Dressage while having the sound mind and rideability required by amateur riders.
Breed Characteristics of an Irish Warmblood
WSI’s breed standard is a highly athletic performance horse that:
- is sired by a stallion approved by a WBFSH member studbook or by a Thoroughbred, Anglo Arab, or Shagya Arab. All Irish Warmbloods are born out of mares that are sired by stallions approved by a WBFSH member studbook or by a Thoroughbred, Anglo Arab, or Shagya Arab.
- is based primarily on continental European warmblood genetics with strict restrictions on the percentage of Irish Draught blood permitted in Approved Stallions, Recognized Stallions, Approved Mares, and Studbook Mares.
- has functional conformation and a constitution that is strong and healthy, and enables and facilitates a long competition career.
- has a horizontal build and stands in a rectangular frame; and has legs with clean bones that are strong but not excessive in size and soft tissue with dry texture; and a correct and hard foundation with hooves in proportion to the size and weight of the horse.
- has a character that exudes a willingness to work as well as being good-natured toward people.
- has an attractive exterior that is refined, noble, and pleasing to the eye.
WSI is Committed to Our Breeders and Members
Irish Warmblood breeders are our lifeblood and we are committed to treating them as valued members of the Irish Warmblood community. WSI has a democratically-elected Breeding Advisory Council that serves as the Studbook’s breeding policy advisory body. Any Member can nominate him- or herself, or another Member, to stand for election to the Breeding Council. Any significant changes to the breeding programme are required to be voted on by Members during the Annual General Meeting, making WSI the only sport horse studbook in Ireland with member participation and democracy as core values.
Riders and Owners of Irish Warmbloods
Another central value is that Irish Warmbloods be bred for soundness, health, and the potential for a long competition career. We use selection and scientific advancements to monitor our progress toward that goal.
WSI has a rigourous, fair, and objective Stallion Approval System. Irish Warmblood Approved Stallions must pass a three-day performance test. For a look inside the WSI Stallion Approval System, a video* is available at: https://bit.ly/WSI-SAS-Video
WSI has a comprehensive inspection system for evaluating mares, young stock, and foals. Every inspected horse receives a written report after the inspection and follow-up discussions with our Breeding Director.
WSI has administered a genomic testing programme for the genes associated with osteochondrosis since 2016. In 2020, 95% of Irish Warmblood foals passed the DNA test** and were awarded the D-OC predicate.
WSI has the most comprehensive testing and surveillance programme for the WFFS1 mutation of any studbook in the world. Every WSI Approved Stallion, Approved Mare, Studbook Mare, and registered filly/mare has their Fragile Foal status determined. In the autumn of 2022, WSI’s Breeding Director conducted an evaluation of the WFFS1 policy and complementary surveillance programme. The carrier rate in the Irish Warmblood population was calculated as being less than 8/10s of one percent.
Our Environment and Future Generations
WSI has committed to be a Climate Positive and Carbon Negative organisation. Every horse we register has 10 trees planted in its name paid for by WSI and receives the E+ predicate in its passport, signifying “Environment Positive”. WSI buys carbon offsets equal to two times our annual estimated carbon production. Through Stripe Climate, WSI donates 1% of all debit/credit card payments to help fund innovative carbon capture technologies. We also help breeders manage their own carbon footprint with a voluntary “Climate Positive” payment that offsets two tonnes of carbon dioxide and plants 35 trees on behalf of the foal or older horse. For these equines, a CL+ predicate appears in their passport signifying the equine was climate positive at registration.
- Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support Scheme
- Partially funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the Equine Technical Support Scheme
