HALF of British Eventing (BE) TOP-10 horses and sires are Irish-bred and based, according to its 2019 points-based rankings. These figures are further good news for event horse breeders here, in the wake of topping both the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) and Hippomundo rankings last year.

The cross-channel market is the largest for Irish breeders and the fact that the top two riders - Piggy French, or March as the Badminton winner is now listed on the BE website after her 2019 wedding, and Oliver Townend - earned their places mainly with Irish-breds is a major marketing coup and priceless advertising for Irish Sport Horses.