LAUNCHED this week by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, the RDS book on Ireland’s Elite Traditionally Bred Mares was hailed both as a vital foundation document and a platform for further research.

Researched and compiled by Marcus O’Donnell, the book provides a comprehensive pictorial guide, accompanied by breeding charts with detailed breeding and performance data, to Ireland’s top 52 Traditional Irish Performance mares. It also contains valuable data on 93 Traditional Irish Broodmares with performance progeny at 1.40m level or better.

President of the RDS, Bernie Brennan, said: “It was out of this desire for better informed breeding decisions that this publication came and the RDS was very happy to take on and sponsor this project.

“The Traditional Irish Performance Mare began to diminish in numbers. For many decades, Irish sport horses were the global market leaders and were sought after by buyers from all over the world. Unfortunately over the past 20 years or more, Ireland has been usurped by other market players. The competition has grown in strength and we have been unable to retain our pre-eminence.

“The industry makes a vital contribution to rural Ireland and can contribute even further. The Reaching New Heights (strategy) is all about this but it cannot act in isolation. We need people in the industry; people with clout; people to champion the value of this publication and what it represents.

“Pedigree must be at the forefront of considerations in breeding. Lines of genuine promise and genetic merit must be retained at home for the long term health of elite bloodlines. All stakeholders in the equestrian community have a responsibility to make this happen. Alone, without support, this publication simply will not change matters enough.

“For it to be successful, it needs to be part of industry wide actions that drive home the responsibility required when making breeding choices. Today’s publication is another important chapter in improving understanding and decision-making.

“Preparations are well underway for this year’s Dublin Horse Show, back to our traditional dates of August 9th to 13th. This year’s show will have the second year of the Traditional Irish Horse Championships, which I hope, along with this publication, can serve as one of the many catalysts ensuring better informed breeding decisions for the ultimate benefit of the industry and the elite Traditional Irish Horse,” concluded Brennan.

TIHA WELCOME

Hugh Leonard of the Traditional Irish Horse Association said: “The TIHA congratulates the RDS on sponsoring the research and the production of this magnificent book. Starting with Mo Chroi and listing the top 52 performance mares followed by 93 Traditional Irish Horse mares with 1.40 or better performance progeny. This is a gigantic piece of work and Marcus O’Donnell is to be congratulated on his great endeavour in spite of trying times. It is said if you cannot measure, you cannot improve. For the first time in history, this book provides us with a separate evaluation of our top traditional show jumping mares, creating a platform for which we can improve. Well done RDS, you have demonstrated vision and TIHA will be thrilled if you were to do the same for eventing. The TIHA are now developing a comprehensive breeding programme of the TIH and look forward to working with the RDS and other stakeholders continuing the work which this book has started.”

Marcus O’Donnell paid tribute to the input he received into the research by the RDS Show Director, Pat Hanly and Fiona Sheridan, RDS Equestrian Manager and all the breeders for their help.