The Irish Sport Horse is considered Irelands, most successful
competition horse.The selective breeding
of Draught bloodlines with Sport horse breeds and thoroughbred produces a truly
exceptional equine athlete that excels and competes to the very highest levels in
equestrianism.Renowned worldwide for their
wonderful temperaments and wiliness to workthe Irish Sport horse is a horse of distinction.
The Irish Sport Horse is considered Ireland’s most successful
competition horse.The selective breeding
of Draught bloodlines with Sport horse breeds and thoroughbred produces a truly
exceptional equine athlete that excels and competes to the very highest levels in
equestrianism.Renowned worldwide for their
wonderful temperaments and wiliness to work, the Irish Sport horse is a horse of
distinction. With its longstanding and proven track record including Olympic legacies,
the Irish Sport horse’s performance, durability, and competitive longevity sees
the studbook retaining number 1 in World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH)
of which it holds 14 titles over 16 consecutive years. This consistency at the highest
level over this number of years is a proven testimony to sporting excellence.
With Ireland’s long tradition of hunting and showjumping it is
not surprising that the Irish Sport Horse possess an innate talent for the equestrian
sports of showjumping and eventing.The main
composite breeds of the Irish Sport Horse are the Irish Draught and the Thoroughbred.Varying proportions of these breeds result in
the production of Irish Sport Horses. In recent years there has also been an infusion
of continental warmblood breeds into the Irish Sport Horse.
The Irish Draught and Thoroughbred has proven to be a very successful
cross and gives the Irish Sport Horse it’s unique, and much sought after, characteristics. The Irish Draught Horse gives our sport horses
strength, intelligence and a kind temperament, which are reflected in their performance
and ability.The Thoroughbred blood brings
athleticism to the breed and enables them to compete successfully at the highest
level of every equestrian discipline.
In recent years there has also been an infusion of continental
warmblood breeds into the Irish Sport Horse. Since the dawn of showjumping in Ireland
Irish Sport Horses have been found competing at the highest level.Horses such as Boomerang, Ryan’s Son, Cruising,
and more recently, Flexible, Castlefield Eclipse, Lisona, and Roller Coaster have
made their mark in the sport of show juming. For generations Irish horses have also
dominated the eventing circuit and captured the hearts of the equestrian world.Who could forget the magical performances of Biko,
Custom Made and Supreme Rock and more recently horses such as Mr Medicott and Imperial
Cavalier, to name but a few.Apart from its
success at international level the Irish Sport Horse is an ideal leisure horse.Its ability to look after and help its rider in
any situation makes the breed a safe and popular choice for the amateur rider.