HALLOWBERRY CRUZ

ISH (TIH). 165cms.

HSI classification: Approved.

Performance rating: 4*

Website: www.hallowberry.com

Email: hallowberry@gmail.com

Contact: Caroline Byrne. 087 2343110

AI agents: Philip McManus, Galway. Tel: 087 2749109.

Richie Fitzgerald, Waterford. Tel: 087 9380466.

Larry Dunne, Wicklow. Tel: 01 2867146.

OWNER-breeders Caroline and Paul Byrne continue to live the dream with their Hallowberry Cruz. Bred out of Calcutta Clover, a mare originally bought from Cork breeder Michael McCarthy for Caroline to compete on the amateur circuit with, her Cruising offspring continues to reward the couple’s faith in him.

His most recent success came in the medium tour Grand Prix at Vejer de la Frontera which he won just after the stallion went back into work with longtime rider Alexander Butler. He has produced ‘Cruzer’ from young horse classes right up to Nations Cup duty. The pair hit their best international form last year and his connections are hopeful that the home-bred will have a chance to represent Ireland again.

Last year was also when Hallowberry Cruz was fully approved at Horse Sport Ireland’s stallion inspections where the inspection panel said in their summary that he was “a very nice, correct, long-lined stallion that sports a very good walk, active trot and a balanced canter”. He also received a four-star performance rating for his show jumping results which last year included a clear round jumping in the Nations Cup at Sopot five-star show.

International wins

Butler and Hallowberry Cruz also won three international rankings classes, were placed in two Grand Prix classes and took fourth place on home ground in the 1.60m Serpentine Speed Stakes at Dublin last July.

A son of the renowned Cruising, Hallowberry Cruz was a model of consistency coming up through the national ranks. A constant feature of Dublin qualifier line-ups since his four-year-old days, his results on the Irish circuit include placing fourth in the five-year-old championship at Dublin in 2011 and third in the seven/eight-year-old qualifier there in 2014.

After progressing to Grand Prix level he was third in his first 1.40m Grand Prix at Ravensdale in 2014, followed up by fourth place in his first 1.50m international class at Lanaken CSI ***.

Back on the home circuit, he then won his first Premier Grand Prix in Louth, was placed in three more Premier rounds and again, demonstrating his consistency, was the leading horse of the series in 2015. He made his international debut in Dublin that year, before placing second in a 1.50m class at Millstreet International.

His pedigree will also appeal to traditional breeding fans looking for a proven performer, as it features well-regarded names such as Clover Hill and the thoroughbred influences of Ceredigion and Jab. Hallowberry Cruz has gone from strength to strength with Alexander Butler and is one of only a few Traditional Irish Horses jumping at 1.60m level readily available to sport horse breeders.

Due to his busy international schedule, Hallowberry Cruz is available only by frozen semen from three AI centres this season and his 2017 stud fee is €750.