WHO will join the FEI World Cup champions roll of honour in Omaha? All going to plan, it will have been a very good Friday for one winning dressage combination and the 2023 show jumping final champion will be decided tonight.

Interestingly, the World Cup leading bloodlines and studbooks have, to a large degree, matched the changing patterns in sport horse breeding. The majority of recent champions are very much purpose-bred for the sport, although as in every story, there’s the occasional unfashionable ‘underdog’ - and often public favourite - to add to the mix.

After a two-year hiatus, the World Cup was back in 2022: Chaplin, another Dutch-bred champion in show jumping; the Trakehner ‘Dancing Dalera’ keeping up Germany’s strike rate in dressage breeding.

Did the KWPN and Trakekner Verband feature in the early years? Not really. Thorougbreds, Hanoverians and Scandinavian-breds, (although the latter often featured Trakehner bloodlines), provided the bulk of champions.

The first show jumping final, held in 1979, proved to be a first win for Hugo Simon and Gladstone, followed up by the Austrian rider’s back-to-back double (1996, 1997) with E.T FRH. Both horses were Hanoverians, a marker for the German breed’s domination of pre-millenium show jumping finals with eight wins to their credit.

However, in the very early years, thoroughbreds ruled the World Cup show jumping final; there was no less than seven on the inaugural startlist.

1980 was the year that Nijinsky was the top sire worldwide; Pitcairn headed the leading flat sires in the UK and Ireland and Deep Run was at the start of his 14-year reign as the number one National Hunt sire. And the Argentinian-bred thoroughbred Balbuco won Conrad Homfeld’s first World Cup that same year. Followed by another thoroughbred and another American win the next year for Jet Run and Michael Matz.

Thoroughbreds ruled the US jumping and hunter scenes for decades, however the first indication of the wholesale switch to European imports was Calypso’s win in 1982 with Melanie Smith.

Although Calypso was by a thoroughbred sire (Lucky Boy), the tide had changed and the USA’s winning streak continued in the next six finals, courtesy of European-bred horses.

Canadian Ian Millar recorded a double next with another German-bred: Big Ben before the only British-bred World Cup win: the double champion and crowd favourite Milton.

The 1990s was another purple patch for the Hanoverian studbook (five wins) and the era of the Selle Français triple champion: Baloubet du Rouet.

Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2017 winners McLain Ward (USA) with HH Azur on their victory lap \ Liz Gregg/FEI

Irish-bred finalists

Bloodlines began to diversify by this millennium, German studbooks continue to hold their own - Shutterfly’s historic treble is particularly noteworthy - while the Benelux and French breeding nations made their mark too.

The Anglo-Arabian and Mexico’s La Silla studbooks recorded historic wins, plus the Irish Sport Horse studbook enjoyed its time in the sun, courtesy of the 2012 champion: Flexible.

How have Irish-breds fared in World Cup history? Well, there was four in the inaugural final. Best-placed in joint-third was Carrolls of Dundalk and Eddie Macken, slotted in among two more US thoroughbreds - Katie Monahan’s The Jones Boy (second) and Norman Dello Joio’s Allegro (also joint-third).

Highland Flight and Ozymandias are amongst the suggestions for Carrolls of Dundalk’s sire. According to George O’Malley, one of Eddie Macken’s former grooms, Carrolls of Dundalk was by Highland Flight and was bought at the 1978 Royal International Horse Show from Fred Welch. Lough Crew (Capt. Con Power), Canada’s Eaden Vale (Torchy Miller) and Ryan’s Son were the other Irish-breds at Gothenburg that year.

Ryan’s Son, said to be by Ozymandias out of a Clydesdale/Connemara mare, was consistently placed in the finals for John Whitaker, as was Special Envoy (King of Diamonds - Highland Lady, by Highland Flight. Breeder: Mary Hughes) for the Pessoa family. Second to Milton in 1991 and then, after Nelson passed the reins over to son Rodrigo, fourth in the 1996 final at Geneva.

Right in the middle of Rodrigo’s treble title run with Baloubet du Rouet was the best Irish-bred result up until then. Cruising (Sea Crest - Mullacrew, by Nordlys. Breeder: Bord na gCapall) and Trevor Coyle finished runners-up in Gothenburg, a lucky hunting ground for Irish-breds, in 1999.

Nine years later, again at Gothenburg, another great result when Flexible (Cruising - Flex, by Safari. Breeder: Edward and Catherine Doyle) placed second to Shutterfly in the 2008 final.

He and Rich Fellers went on to win in 2012, the only Irish Sport Horse win in World Cup show jumping final history. Flexible continued to qualify for subsequent finals, finishing seventh in 2015 and 22nd on his last appearance in 2016. No other Irish-bred has appeared since on the World Cup final startlist.

Interestingly, while no World Cup champion has to date produced another, Cruising and Flexible came close, as did the 1994 champion, Libero H, sire of Jessica Kürten’s 2006 runner-up: Castleforbes Libertina.

Galoubet A, For Pleasure (runner-up to Dollar Girl in 1995) and Cornet Obolensky are amongst the famous stallions in World Cup final history.

Cornet d’Amour and Corbinian are Cornet Obolensky’s two World Cup winners to date and two-time World Cup finalist Galoubet A produced the triple champion Baloubet du Rouet.

Horse-breeding rarely follows the script. Going back to the early World Cup final thoroughbred roots, if breeding champions was as easy as an Oaks winner covered by a Derby winner to breed a ‘foregone conclusion’ Derby or Oaks winner in four years’ time, there would be less breeders in business for starters.

Breeding is about narrowing the odds. Omaha will tell us who the odds favoured in the 2023 World Cup final.

Rich Fellers (USA) and Flexible, bred by Kildare's Catherine and Edward Doyle, (pictured at Gothenburg 2013), winners of the World Cup final in 2012 at s'Herogenbosch \ Jon Stroud

Did you know?

  • Five mares have won the World Cup show jumping final: Comme Il Faut’s dam Ratina Z, Dollar Girl, Anka, Albführen’s Paille and HH Azur.
  • Four mares, including triple champion Weihegold OLD, Fabienne, Brentina and TSF Dalera BB, have won the World Cup dressage final.
  • After she retired from sport, Dollar Girl joined the La Silla broodmare herd in Monterrey, Mexico, where she died in 2009. At a recent Zangersheide stallion auction, her grandson Coldplay VDM Z (Chacfly PS) was sold to the USA for €205,000.
  • Studbook La Silla (SLS), founded by Alfonso Roma in 2001, produced the 2017 World Cup show jumping champion: Breitling LS.
  • Although officially retired last year, Weihegold OLD had produced 14 foals by embryo transfer during her competition career, the best of which is the licensed stallion son Total Hope (Totilas).
  • Swiss breeder Hans-Jacob Fünfschilling bought an in-foal mare in Sweden. The foal was dual World Cup dressage champion Gauguin de Lully (1987, 1988). Fünfschilling’s buy is also the damsire of the 2016 champion: Glock’s Flirt.
  • The bred-for-showjumping Corlandus (HOLST) and the Latvian-bred Rusty are the less ‘conventionally-bred’ World Cup champions.
  • Which studbook has won the most World Cup titles? In show jumping, the top-three are Hanoverian Verband (11, including double and triple champions E.T FRH and Shutterfly), KWPN (seven) and Selle Français (six, including Baloubet du Rouet’s treble). In dressage, the top-three are Oldenburg (eight, courtesy of the most crowned champion in World Cup history, Bonfire with his five-time record and Weihegold OLD’s treble); Hanoverian (seven, including Salinero’s four-time feat) and the KWPN (six, including Parzival and Valegro’s doubles).
  • Top country for producing champions in World Cup history? Germany (19 show jumpers/21 dressage horses).
  • While Bonheur, Winston and Azur Garden’s Horses might not ring many bells, renamed as McLain (after his father Barney imported the future 1986 champion), Big Ben and HH Azur, they went on to win World Cup finals. Who says it’s unlucky to change a horse’s name?

    • World Cup Champion Roll of Honour

    Show jumping

    1979 Gothenburg - Gladstone (HANN). Goetz - Weinschloss, by Weingau. Breeder: Werner Bruens. Rider: Hugo Simon (AUT).

    1980 Baltimore - Balbuco (TB). Timor. Rider: Conrad Homfeld (USA).

    1981 Birmingham - Jet Run (TB). Jet Traffic - Helianthemum, by Heliodurus. Breeder: Winter Place Farm. Rider: Michael Matz (USA).

    1982 Gothenburg - Calypso (KWPN). Lucky Boy - Gamieka, by Zilon. Breeder: W.H.B Dingeldein. Rider: Melanie Smith (USA).

    1983 Vienna - I Love You (SF). Almé Z - Elyrio, by Nykio. Breeder: Michel Pelissier. Rider; Norman Dello Joio (USA).

    1984 Gothenburg - Aramis (HANN). Argentan - Obergarde, by Ortelsburg. Breeder: Joachim Poppe. Rider: Mario Deslauriers (USA).

    1985 Berlin - Abdullah (TRAK). Donauwind - Abiza, by Maharadscha. Breeder: Gestut Birkhausen. Rider: Conrad Homfeld (USA).

    1986 Gothenburg - McLain (WESTF). Bariton. Rider: Leslie Burr Lenehan (USA).

    1987 Paris - The Natural (HANN). Diskus - Goldbanner, by Gotthard. Breeder: H. Böttcher. Rider: Katharine Burdsall (USA).

    1988 Gothenburg - Big Ben (BWP). Etretat - Oekie, by Flevo. Rider: Ian Millar (CAN).

    1989 Tampa - Big Ben (BWP).

    1990 Dortmund - Milton (Marius - Aston Answer, by Any Questions. Breeder: John Harding-Rolls. Rider: John Whitaker (GB).

    1991 Gothenburg - Milton.

    1992 Del Mar - Bockmann’s Genius (HANN). Genever - Dietbaldi, by Don Carlos. Breeder: Hubert Haverbusch. Rider: Thomas Frühmann (AUT).

    1993 Gothenburg - Ratina Z (HANN). Ramiro Z - Argentina Z, by Almé Z. Breeder: Stotereiji Zangersheide. Rider: Ludger Bierbaum (GER).

    1994 ‘s-Hertogenbosch - Libero H (HOLST). Landgraf - Oktave, by Ronald. Breeder: Erben Martin Röpke. Rider: Jos Lansink (NED).

    1995 Gothenburg - Dollar Girl (HANN). Dynamo - Sensation, by Salem. Breeder: Heinz Berthold Vollmers. Rider: Nick Skelton (GB).

    1996 Geneve - E.T. FRH (HANN. Espri - Gracia, by Garibaldi II. Breeder: Detlef Saul. Rider: Hugo Simon (AUT).

    1997 Gothenburg - E.T. FRH (HANN).

    1998 Helsinki - Baloubet du Rouet (SF). Galoubet A - Mesange du Rouet, by Starter. Breeder: Louis Snr. and Louis Fardin. Rider: Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA).

    1999 Gothenburg - Baloubet du Rouet (SF).

    2000 Las Vegas - Baloubet du Rouet (SF).

    2001 Gothenburg - Tinka’s Boy (KWPN). Zuidpool - Esprit, by Zeus. Breeder: J.P. Muntwerjf. Rider: Markus Fuchs (SUI).

    2002 Leipzig - Dobels Cento (HOLST). Capitol I - Viola, by Caletto II. Breeder: Heinrich Schoof. Rider: Otto Becker (GER).

    2003 Las Vegas - Anka. (OLD). Argentinus - Wenke, by Waldmann. Breeder: G. Jansen. Rider: Marcus Ehning (GER).

    2004 Milan - Dileme de Cephe (AA). Starky d’Anchin - Cephile, by Et Hop. Breeder: Mme. Laurence Benoit. Rider: Bruno Broucqsault (FRA).

    2005 Las Vegas - Shutterfly (HANN). Silvio I - Famm, by Forrest. Breeder: Uwe Dreesman. Rider: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER).

    2006 Kuala Lumpur - Sandro Boy (OLD). Sandro Z - Wiadora, by Grannus. Breeder: Rudolf Myer. Rider: Marcus Ehning (GER).

    2007 Las Vegas - Ideo du Thot (SF). Arioso de Theillet - Battant du Thot, by Shaliman du Thot. Breeder: Jean-Francois Noel. Rider: Beat Mändli (SUI).

    2008 Gothenburg - Shutterfly (HANN).

    2009 Las Vegas - Shutterfly (HANN).

    2010 - Geneva - Plot Blue (KWPN). Mr. Blue - Ilotte, by Pilot. Breeder: F.C.M Burgers. Rider: Marcus Ehning (GER).

    2011 Leipzig - Taloubet Z (KWPN). Galoubet A - Krista, by Polydor. Breeder: Cees Klaver. Rider: Christian Ahlmann (GER).

    2012 ‘s-Hertogenbosch - Flexible by Cruising (ISH). Sea Crest - Flex, by Safari. Breeder: Edward and Catherine Doyle. Rider: Rich Fellers (USA).

    2013 Gothenburg - Simon (KWPN). Mr Blue - Naline, by Polydox. Breeder: M.J Vermeulen. Rider: Beezie Madden (USA).

    2014 Lyon - Cornet d’Amour (WESTF). Cornet Obolensky - Daquiri, by Damiani. Breeder: Alfred Niehoff. Rider: Daniel Deusser (GER).

    2015 Las Vegas - Albfuehren’s Paille (SF). Kannan - Miloust d’Isigny, by Dollar du Maurier. Breeder: EURL Top Stallions Company. Rider: Steve Guerdat (SUI).

    2016 Gothenburg - Corbinian (WESTF). Cornet Obolensky - Primavera, by Pilot I. Breeder: Pferdezucht Blüggel, Rider: Steve Guerdat (SUI).

    2017 Omaha - HH Azur (sBs). Thunder van de Zuuthoeve - Sion van de Zuuthoeve, by Sir Lui. Breeder: Nathalie Beaufort. Rider: McLain Ward (USA).

    2018 Paris - Breitling LS (SLS). Quintero - Armonio, by Acorad I. Breeder: La Silla. Rider: Beezie Madden (USA).

    2019 Gothenburg - Alamo (KWPN). Ukato - Mariona, by Equador. Breeder: D. Nanning. Rider: Steve Guerdat (SUI).

    2022 Leipzig - Chaplin (KWPN). Verdi TN - Jaltha B, by Concorde. Breeder: G. Knoop. Rider: Martin Fuchs (SUI).

    Dressage

    1986 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Marzog (DWB). Herzog - Cheeky Girl, by Marcio. Breeder: Niels Rosenkranz. Rider: Anne Grethe Jensen (DEN).

    1987 Essen - Gauguin de Lully (ZVCH). Chagall - Gasparona, by Gaspari. Breeder: H.J Fünfschilling. Rider: Christine Stückelberger (SUI).

    1988 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Gauguin de Lully.

    1989 Gothenburg - Corlandus (HOLST). Cor de la Bryère - Gustia, by Landgraf I. Breeder: Hermann Kruse. Rider: Margit Otto-Crepin (FRA).

    1990 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Andiamo (DWB). May Sherif - Jytte, by Caruso. Breeder: Christian Anderson. Rider: Sven Rothenberger (GER).

    1991 Paris - Matador (DWB). May Sherif - Susan Bakkeley, by Wersal. Breeder: Georg & Klara Møllebjerg. Rider: Kyra Kyrklund (FIN).

    1992 Gothenburg - Fabienne (WESTF). Feuerschein I - Diana, by Dilletant. Breeder: Ewald Bunge. Rider: Isabell Werth (GER).

    1993 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Ganimedes (WESTF). Grünhorn III - Finess, by Fidalgo. Breeder: August Benning. Rider: Monica Theodorescu (GER).

    1994 Gothenburg - Ganimedes.

    1995 - Los Angeles - Bonfire (OLD). Welt As - Warine, by Präfectus. Breeder: Karl Bernd Westerholt. Rider: Anky van Grunsven (NED).

    1996 - Gothenburg - Bonfire.

    1997 - ’s-Hertogenbosch - Bonfire.

    1998 Gothenburg - Walk On Top (HANN). Wenzel I - Athene, by Absatz. Breeder: Heinrick Engelke. Rider: Louise Nathhorst (SWE).

    1999 Dortmund - Bonfire.

    2000 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Bonfire.

    2001 Aarhus - Rusty (LATV). Rebuss L - Akra, by Aktsent. Breeder: Gestüt Burtnieki. Rider: Ulla Salzburger (GER).

    2002 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Rusty.

    2003 Gothenburg - Brentina (HANN). Brentano II - Lieselotte, by Lungau. Breeder: Wilhelm Rethorst. Rider: Debbie McDonald (USA).

    2004 Dusseldorf - Salinero (HANN). Salieri - Luna, by Lungau. Breeder: Horst Bünger. Rider: Anky van Grunsven (NED).

    2005 Las Vegas - Salinero.

    2006 Amsterdam - Salinero.

    2007 Las Vegas - Warum Nicht FRH (HANN). Weltmeyer - Winja, by Wenzel I. Breeder: Hinrich Lüssen. Rider: Isabell Werth (GER).

    2008 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Salinero.

    2009 Las Vegas - Ravel (KWPN). Contango - Hautain, by Democraat. Breeder: H. de Man. Rider: Steffen Peters (USA).

    2010 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Totilas (KWPN). Gribaldi - Lominka, by Glendale. Breeder: Jan & Anna Schuil. Rider: Edward Gal (NED).

    2011 Leipzig - Parzival (KWPN). Jazz - Fidora, by Ulft. Breeder: J.M Beijer-de Kleijn. Rider: Adelinde Cornelissen (NED).

    2012 ’s-Hertogenbosch - Parzival.

    2013 Gothenburg - Damon Hill (WESTF). Donnerhall - Romanze, by Rubenstein I. Breeder: Heinrich Sauer. Rider: Helen Langehanenberg (GER).

    2014 Lyon - Valegro (KWPN). Negro - Maifleur, by Gershwin. Breeder: J.L Hanse. Rider: Charlotte Dujardin (GB).

    2015 Las Vegas - Valegro.

    2016 Gothenburg - Glock’s Flirt (ZVCH). Florestan I - Envie de Lully, by Gauguin de Lully. Breeder: Haras Fünfschilling. Rider: Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED).

    2017 Omaha - Weihegold OLD (OLD). Blue Hors Don Schufro - Weihevoll, by Sandro Hit. Breeder: Inge Bastian. Rider: Isabell Werth (GER).

    2018 Paris - Weihegold OLD.

    2019 Gothenburg - Weihegold OLD.

    2022 Leipzig - TSF Dalera BB (TRAK). Easy Game - Dark Magic, by Handryk. Breeder: Silke Druckenmüller. Rider: Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER).

    2020 - Cancelled due to COVID-19.

    2021 - Cancelled due to Equine Herpes virus.

    Germany's Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly, three-time winners of the FEI World Cup Final (pictured here in 2005) \ FEI