TIHA research - show jumping

WHILE show jumpers with warmblood in their pedigree often appear at the top of results, the study carried out by the TIHA proves that the presence of the Traditional Irish Horse in the dam-line of horses representing the ISH in the WBFSH Show Jumping rankings over the years cannot be overlooked.

Flexible is one perfect example. For over a decade, he was without doubt the greatest flag bearer for both the ISH and TIH. He not only ranked on six occasions between 2008 and 2015, but in 2012, he ranked sixth individually. This remains the highest placing ever achieved for an Irish Sport Horse in show jumping.

The fact that he is full TIH makes it all the more special. Bred in Co Kildare by Catherine Doyle, Flexible is by Cruising, with his dam Flex by the thoroughbred Safari.

A further six Irish Sport Horses were ranked four times between 2004 and 2016, among them the traditionally-bred and Cruising-sired pair of Mo Chroí and World Cruise.

Both horses contributed to the ISH Studbook rankings in 2007 (9th) and 2008 (11th), with Mo Chroí also the highest individually ranked ISH in 2007 when 26th.

Bred in Co Wicklow by Claire McDonnell, Mo Chroí’s dam Into The Blue boasts a strong thoroughbred pedigree going back as far as her grandsire, the Derby winner Sir Ivor.

Mo Chroí was retired from competition in 2014 and has since produced four foals, all by Diamant De Semilly.

World Cruise died last year at the age of 25 but left a wonderful legacy behind having represented Ireland on the world stage with Shane Breen. The grey carried the best of bloodlines with his dam Curragh Queen by the legendary Clover Hill.

Indeed Clover Hill appears in the pedigree of numerous horses in the WBFSH rankings down through the years, and another one of note is Carling King who can be credited with assisting the ISH Studbook to seventh place in 2004.

Although this placing has never been matched, the ISH Studbook has placed within the top 10 on seven occasions since 2004.

The year 2020 was a strange one and travel for horses worldwide was limited, but the Irish Sport Horse was still well represented by the likes of Columbcille De Reve.

Bred by George McDonald and by the Selle Français sire Herme De Reve, the 2008 mare boasts a TIH dam-line with her dam Kinard Hill Girl by Errigal Flight (ISH) and grandam by the thoroughbred Euphemism.

While we can all accept that the infusion of the warmblood into the Irish broodmare herd is unavoidable given the depth of foreign stallions in Ireland, we can only hope that what has made the Irish Sport Horse so special over the years will not be diluted beyond repair.

Encouraging breeders to think TIH and breed TIH