THE release of the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings this week sees Donatello D’Auge (show jumping), London 52 (eventing) and Mount St John Freestyle (dressage) crowned as its top horses.

For the second year in a row, the Holsteiner Verband is the leading eventing studbook with longtime titleholder - the Irish Sport Horse (ISH) - as runner-up, while the ISH studbook holds a top-10 place in the show jumping results for the third year in a row.

OBOS Quality 004 has the distinction of being the sire of both of this year’s top two-ranked Irish Sport Horses: Brookfield Quality, bred in Co Monaghan by Sean Kelly (third in the eventing horse section) and My Clementine, bred in Co Down by the late David Prentice (13th in show jumping).

And how do the 2025 rankings stack up for the ISH studbook compared to recent years?

2023 was the best overall year in the WBFSH rankings for the ISH studbook, having reclaimed its number one eventing studbook title and it maintained its climb back into the top-10 show jumping studbook rankings after several years in the rankings wilderness.

As an added bonus, Pacino Amiro finished fourth amongst the WBFSH individual show jumping horses that year - the best-ever result by an ISH in this category.

French rider Nina Mallevaey and My Clementine (ISH) at Spruce Meadows. The David Prentice-bred mare is the highest placed ISH show jumping horse in the WBFSH rankings for 2025 \ Spruce Meadows Media/Mike Sturk

Last year, there were two Irish Sport Horses - Cooley Rosalent and MSH Seventeen - in the top-10 eventing horses, (just Brookfield Quality this year) and James Kann Cruz was sixth in the 2024 show jumping horses rankings. The Holsteiner Verband had moved from fourth place in 2023 to overtake the ISH in the eventing studbook category last year. It’s a fair and square lead the German studbook has now maintained in the 2025 rankings, chiefly through the performance of European individual gold medallist champion London 52.

Donatello D’Auge’s 2025 Longines World Cup final win saw him regaining his 2023 WBFSH top-ranked show jumping horse title and the Selle Français studbook retaining their perch at the top for a third consecutive year.

The KWPN traditionally ranked number one in both dressage and show jumping, although the latter category has undergone a shake-up in recent years. Their Benelux neighbours - the Belgian Warmblood studbook (BWP) - claimed back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022, then the Selle Français took over the leading WBFSH show jumping studbook crown in 2023.

While it maintains its fourth place in the eventing category for a second year, the KWPN had previously topped this leaderboard in 2018 and 2020.

However, the Dutch dominance in dressage continues, although the leading dressage horse is Mount St John Freestyle, contributing to a strong showing in the 2025 WBFSH rankings by the Hanoverian Verband.

Following on from last week’s question of ‘what is an Irish Sport Horse?’, it’s clear to see from the rankings that the introduction of European lines ignited the ISH climb in show jumping and maintained its position in eventing rankings.

Another question is ‘which is the better rankings system? - points or prize money?’ Which rewards consistency best or highlights a landmark win? Having a couple of top 1.60m horses or five-star dressage and event horses certainly adds clout and earning power to any studbook’s cause and publicity material.

Overall, it was another solid performance by the Irish Sport Horse studbook in the WBFSH rankings. Another take away from the 2025 results is the presence of Irish riders at the top as Daniel Coyle has matched Shane Sweetnam’s achievement in competing two top-10 WBFSH horses.

Last year, Sweetnam’s James Kann Cruz and the Brazilian-bred RR Combella featured amongst the top-10 show jumping horses; this year, it’s the turn of Incredible (sixth) and Farrel (ninth) for Coyle. Another strong Irish link in this year’s WBFSH final rankings.

See www.wbfsh.com for the complete rankings.

BY THE NUMBERS

21,701 – top combined score across all three sports by one studbook in the 2025 WBFSH rankings: the KWPN.

5 – Flexible’s unrivalled run as the top-ranked ISH show jumping horse in the WBFSH rankings.

4 – German studbooks - Holsteiner Verband, Oldenburg Springpferde (OS), Westphalian and Hanoverian - feature on this year’s top-10 show jumping studbooks leaderboard.

3 – Irish-based stallions have recorded doubles as the sires of the highest-ranked Irish Sport Horses in both eventing and show jumping rankings: Cavalier Royale, Cruising and now OBOS Quality 004.

2 – Irish Sport Horses - both TIHs, both event horses - have ranked top of the WBFSH rankings. Firstly, there was Ringwood Cockatoo (Peacock - Baileys Folly, by Skylark. Breeder: Hilary Greer) in 2006, followed six years later by Mr Medicott (TIH. Cruising - Slieveluachra, by Edmund Burke. Breeder: Dr Donal Geaney) in 2012.

1 – Bordeaux 28 is the only sire with two top-10 offspring in the 2025 rankings: Bluetooth OLD and Fame (dressage).

DID YOU KNOW

  • The WBFSH rankings first began in 1994. Its calendar year starts on October 1st and points won in FEI competitions count towards the final results. Leading studbook results are based on the combined points tally of each member studbook’s top-six performers since the previous October.
  • The 2025 WBFSH general assembly took place this week in South Africa, where the gathering was hosted by the South African Warmblood Horse Society.
  • The WBFSH Breeders of the Year 2025 awards will be presented at the start of 2026 during the Longines WBFSH Breeders’ Awards. It’s the second such award for Susana Epaillard Garcia Cereceda, whose husband Julien Epaillard competes the brilliant Donatello D’Auge.
  • The ISH studbook’s unbeaten run in the WBFSH eventing category was first overtaken by the Hannoverian Verband in 2010; twice by the Selle Français (2014, 2021) and KWPN (2018, 2020) studbooks and now the Holsteiner Verband (2024, 2025).
  • This is the second year the Holsteiner Verband has topped the event horse rankings, having previously done so in show jumping (2012, 2016).
  • Any horses retain their top-10 place from the 2024 rankings? No, JL Dublin (third this year in eventing) is best of last year’s top three. Legacy (show jumping) now ranks 201st, while TSF Dalera BB (dressage) has since retired to the breeding paddock.
  • It’s the third time a Monaghan breeder has bred the top-ranked ISH eventer as Sean Kelly (Brookfield Quality) follows James Jameson (Ben Along Time, 2005, 2008) and Hilary Greer (Ringwood Cockatoo, 2006, 2009).
  • Where did Brookfield Quality and Tom McEwen earn the most WBFSH points in the past 12 months? Third at Pau CCI5*-L, fifth at Kentucky CCI5*-L and second at Aachen CCIO4-S*
  • Where did My Clementine and French rider Nina Mallavaey pick up their points? Wins in 1.50m to 1.60m classes at Ocala CSI5*-W, Kessel CSI3*, Aachen CSI5* and Spruce Meadows CSI5* all counted towards her total.
  • It’s the second time that OBOS Quality is the sire of the top-ranked ISH show jumping horse as Castlefield Eclipse held this title for three consecutive years (2013-2015).
  • Ben Along Time (eventing) and McGuinness (show jumping) count as Cavalier Royale’s dual top-10-ranked Irish Sport Horses in the WBFSH rankings. Cruising doubles up with Mr Medicott and Mr Cruise Control (eventing) and Mo Chroi and Flexible (show jumping).
  • How many Irish Sport Horses reappear this year from the 2024 WBFSH studbook results? James Kann Cruz and Up Too Jacco Blue make the top-six ISH team again in show jumping, while Cooley Rosalent is the sole member of the 2024 set of ISH event horses to record a back-to-back appearance.
  • HSH Blake (Tolan R (KWPN) - Doughiska Lass, by Kannan (KWPN). Breeder: Justin Burke, Co Galway. Rider: Caroline Pamacku (USA)), part of last year’s ISH team of six in the WBFSH eventing rankings is amongst the low number of entries (24) for this weekend’s Maryland 5- Star At Fair Hill. Similarly, Ballaghmor Class (Courage II (HOLST) - Kilderry Place. Breeder: Noel Hickey), second in the WBFSH individual horse rankings (2023) and a long-time rankings stalwart, is entered for Pau CCI5*-L next week (October 23rd-25th).
  • Ostermond (DSP Fighting Line’s sire) is the sole thoroughbred sire amongst the top-10 event horses.
  • The Hanoverian Verband and KWPN are the only studbooks to feature across all three categories - dressage, eventing and show jumping - in the 2025 rankings.

    • Top ISH show jumping horses 2025

    13th – My Clementine (2015. OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) - Qualisca De Vansichant (sBs), by Kashmir van Schuttershof (sBs)). Breeder: David Prentice, Co Down. Rider: Nina Mallavaey (FRA).

    32nd – FTS Killossery Konfusion (2010. SIEC Livello (HOLST) - Killossery Kruisette (ISH) by Cruising (ISH) (TIH)). Breeder: Frank & Laura Glynn, Co Dublin. Rider: Jos Verlooy (BEL).

    35th – ESI Rocky (2015. Stakkato Gold (HANN) - Clonsaslea (BWP), by For Pleasure (HANN)). Breeder: Ennisnag Stud, Co Kilkenny. Rider: Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL).

    44th – James Kann Cruz (2013. Kannan (KWPN) - CSF Telly Cruz, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH)). Breeder: Patrick Connolly, Co Galway. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRL).

    193rd – Up Too Jacco Blue (2011. Chacco-Blue (MECKL) - Celestial Up Too, by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN)). Breeder: Mark Sherry, Co Wicklow. Rider: Max Kühner (AUT).

    217th – WKD Aimez Moi (2010. Je T’Aime Flamenco (BWP) - My Honey Hill (ISH). Sire not recorded). Breeder: Joanne Sloan-Allen, Co Antrim. Rider: Sameh El Dahan (GBR).

    Brookfield Quality, ridden by Britain's Tom McEwen, is the highest placed Irish Sport Horse in the eventing rankings for 2025 \ Nigel Goddard

    Top ISH eventing horses 2025

    Third – Brookfield Quality (2009. OBOS Quality 004 (OLD) - Bay Coffey Cavalier (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST)). Breeder: Sean Kelly, Co Monaghan. Rider: Tom McEwen (GB).

    11th – Cooley Rosalent (2014. Valent (KWPN) - Bellaney Jewel (TB), by Roselier). Breeder: Woods Rosbotham, Co Down. Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR).

    16th – Cavalier Crystal (2010. Jack of Diamonds (SWB) - Cavalier Iris (ISH), by Cavalier Royale (HOLST)). Breeder: Thomas Horgan, Co Waterford. Rider: Harry Meade (GBR).

    24th – Cooley Snapchat (2014. Kannan (KWPN) - Anabee Arkansas (ISH), by VDL Arkansas (KWPN)). Breeder: Alan Wheeler, Co Limerick. Rider: Selina Milnes (GBR).

    25th – Flash Cooley (2012. CSF Mr Kroon (ISH) - Castlefield Ruby (ISH), by OBOS Quality 004 (OLD)). Breeder: Jim O’Neill, Co Kilkenny. Rider: Gemma Stevens (GBR).

    27th – Black Ice (2010. Vechta (KWPN) - Brookhall Lady (ISH), by Touchdown (ISH)). Breeder: Judith McClelland, Co Down. Rider: Jéröme Robiné (GER).

    Top ISH in WBFSH rankings 2004-2025

    Eventing

    2004 – Ballincoola (TIH). (Seventh. Sire: Highland King. Breeder: Pat Keogh).

    2005 – Ben Along Time (Sixth. Cavalier Royale. James Jameson).

    2006 – Ringwood Cockatoo (TIH) (First. Peacock. Hilary Greer).

    2007 – McKinlaigh (TIH) (Third. Highland King. Yvonne Walsh).

    2008 – Ben Along Time (Second).

    2009 – Ringwood Cockatoo (Ninth).

    2010 – Mandiba (TIH) (Third. Master Imp. William Micklem).

    2011 – Lenamore (TIH) (16th. Sea Crest. Helen Walsh).

    2012 – Mr Medicott (TIH) (First. Cruising. Dr Donal Geaney).

    2013 – Mr Cruise Control (TIH) (Sixth. Cruising. Jenny McCann Bubani).

    2014 – Kilronan (TIH) (Ninth. Ghareeb. Pat Fenlon).

    2015 – Cambalda (TIH) (Ninth. Balda Beau. John Irish).

    2016 – Mighty Nice (Second. Ard Ohio. William Kells).

    2017 – Cooley Cross Border (Eighth. Diamond Roller. Johnny Duffy).

    2018 – Horseware Stellor Rebound (11th. VDL Ricochet. Rhona Barnwall).

    2019 – Ballaghmor Class (Third. Courage II. Noel Hickey).

    2020 – Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (10th. Garrison Royal. Patrick J Kearns).

    2021 – Brookfield Innocent (Fourth. Inocent. John Mulvey).

    2022 – Off The Record (Fifth. VDL Arkansas. Peter G Brady)

    2023 – Ballaghmor Class (Second).

    2024 – Cooley Rosalent (Fifth. Valent. Woods Rosbotham).

    2025 – Brookfield Quality (Third. OBOS Quality 004. Sean Kelly).

    Show jumping

    2004 – Carling King (TIH) (19th. Clover Hill. Dr Pat Geraghty).

    2005 – McGuinness (38th. Cavalier Royale. Josephine Jordan).

    2006 – McGuinness (43rd).

    2007 – Mo Chroi (TIH) (26th. Cruising. Claire McDonnell).

    2008 – Flexible (TIH) (48th. Cruising. Catherine Doyle).

    2009 – Flexible (38th).

    2010 – Flexible (14th).

    2011 – Flexible (27th).

    2012 – Flexible (Sixth).

    2013 – Castlefield Eclipse (76th. OBOS Quality 004. Sarah Nihill).

    2014 – Castlefield Eclipse (25th).

    2015 – Castlefield Eclipse (71st).

    2016 – Limestone Grey (57th. Try Time. David Moran).

    2017 – Limestone Grey (76th).

    2018 – Luibanta BH (99th. Luidam. Justin Burke).

    2019 – Loughnavatta Indigo (154th. Luidam. Rory Costigan).

    2020 – Luibanta BH (84th).

    2021 – Pacino Amiro (61st. Pacino. Simon Scott).

    2022 – James Kann Cruz (37th. Kannan. Patrick Connolly).

    2023 – Pacino Amiro (Fourth).

    2024 – James Kann Cruz (Sixth).

    2025 – My Clementine (13th. OBOS Quality 004. David Prentice).