Susan Finnerty

THE contribution made to traditional breeding by the late Jack Powell and Ardcolum Duke’s recent run of success for his Arigna owner-breeder Joe Flynn were highlighted at the Traditional Irish Horse Association’s AGM.

The most significant development in the last year was the ratification of a separate section for traditionally-bred horses in the Irish Sport Horse studbook and for the identification of traditionally-bred foals at registration.

Another identification move will see a new TIH suffix used in Horse Sport Ireland media releases from March 1st. One recent success story is the traditionally-bred stallion Ardcolum Duke ISH (by Gypsy Duke), a winner with Billy Twomey at the Horse of the Year Show, Basel and Zurich. His owner-breeder Joe Flynn received a presentation from chairman, Hugh Leonard.

Bryan Maguire, breeder of the Rolex Kentucky CCI4* winner Bay My Hero, and British show producer Katie Jerram were two other TIHA award recipients in 2014. Another of last year’s initiatives was a traditional breeding think tank overseen by TIHA vice-chairman Chris Ryan. This feedback was then used as a basis for the TIHA submission to the HSI strategic planning board.

More promotions included a successful marketing trip to the Peterborough Hound Show; a traditional-bred display at Dublin Horse Show; a repeat of the hugely popular Hunter Show and Go sale at Scarteen last autumn; a traditionally-bred slot at the Cavan foal sales and the establishment of a Locator facility on the TIHA website to list breeders and producers of traditionally-bred stock.

One source of funding is the upcoming stallion nomination fundraiser which has been organised by the Association’s western area chairman, Kevin Noone. Details of the 36 stallions on offer before the February 28th closing date and TIHA membership forms can be found on the TIHA website.

A minute’s silence was observed to mark the recent death of the Association’s vice-president Jack Powell. Described by secretary Joan Bateman as “our inspiration”, Jack was a founding member of the Association’s forerunner, the Hunter Improvement Society.

“Jack and his colleagues, in those early days, had the wisdom and foresight to see the need to protect traditional Irish breeding. He devoted a large part of his life to the Irish horse. In fact, no later than a week ago Hugh [Leonard] and I had a long chat with Jack about the TIHA and he was very pleased with the progress it has made.”

Chairman Hugh Leonard was pleased with the new measures taken to identify traditional-breds in the ISH studbook. “Our role is not to take over [the studbook], our role is to promote the traditional-bred and our next practical step is to develop a scientific breeding programme for breeders who choose traditional bloodlines,” he said.