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Ireland has been famous for the quality of its horses since medieval times when the fast Irish hobby was much sought-after. After WWII, as many of the world’s horse breeding nations turned their attention to the production of sports horses, it was inevitable that Irish breeders would produce their own version based on the bloodlines of the world-famous Irish Draught Horse and Thoroughbred. Leading equestrians in all three major competitive spheres, show jumping, dressage and eventing, often opt to buy an Irish Sport Horse. The breed excels at eventing, and producers often sell an Irish Sport Horse for this purpose.
The Irish Draught Horse, which is the foundation of the Sport Horse breed, was always more of a utility type than a true draught horse. Strong enough to work on a farm yet attractive enough to ride on the social round, draw a carriage and go hunting, the Irish Draught was a powerful, clean-legged breed with a handsome head. They were also good jumpers across country, facing up to the demanding banks and ditches of the Irish countryside effectively. Thoroughbreds played a part in the creation of the Irish Draught from the beginning. In the middle of the nineteenth century, a line of Ulster horses known as the Harkaway Horses, descendants of a Thoroughbred stallion called King of Trumps and Irish Draught mares, were famous. The Irish Draught was in risk of decline after the famine of 1847, and subsequently Clydesdales and Shires were brought in both to work the land and to cross-breed with the Irish Draughts. In the early years of the twentieth century, the Irish Draught Horse had developed into a distinctive hunter-type that was also an invaluable cavalry and artillery horse. The Book for Horses of the Irish Draught Type was established in 1917, and the breed gained its own society in 1976. Irish Draught cross Thoroughbred horses were known as some of the finest hunters in the world throughout the twentieth century. It was important that the Irish Draught type retained its qualities and was not absorbed into other breeds, since it is the ID cross with the Thoroughbred that creates the excellence of the Irish Sport Horse.
Leading Irish Sport Horses that have competed successfully at international level include US eventer David O’Connor’s gelding Custom Made, winner of Badminton and member of the gold medal winning team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Special Envoy, ridden by Rodrigo Pessoa, was a highly successful show jumper, winning many international Grand Prix events. He was also a member of the gold medal winning team at the 1995 Pan American Games. The grey Shear L' Eau was highly successful with eventer Leslie Law, winning Bramham in 1999, being twice in the top three at Badminton, and taking team gold at the European Championships.
The Irish Sport Horse was created from crosses of the Irish Draught Horse and Thoroughbreds. Also sometimes known as the Irish Hunter and the Irish Draught Sports Horse, when equestrians buy an Irish Sport Horse they know these powerful warmbloods have nearly two centuries of selective breeding behind them. The Irish Sport Horse developed after WWII from earlier crosses of Irish Draught and Thoroughbred, with the addition of some Trakehner, Hanoverian and Selle Français lines in the 1990s. Irish Sport Horses stand 15 hands (60 inches/152 cm) to 17 hands (68 inches/173 cm) high.
The Irish Sport Horse is a versatile breed that is both elegant and athletic. Built for speed, power, and agility, this breed has been around for centuries. Its physique allows riders to excel in a variety of disciplines such as dressage, show jumping, eventing, hunting/jumping, and even cross-country racing. But beyond its impressive physical presence lies an equally impressive interior. The Irish Sport Horse makes an excellent companion due to its gentle nature and its willingness to learn. Highly intelligent and eager to please, they quickly become bonded with their owners. With consistent training from an early age, they can be taught how to perform complex tasks easily. Their temperament also makes them ideal candidates for children’s riding activities such as pony clubs or mounted games. They will happily stand still for long periods of time whilst being groomed or tacked up making them perfect mounts for the less experienced rider who needs a steady stead. Furthermore, the Irish Sport Horse is known for its natural aptitude in jumping, which makes these horses great competitors in show jumping circles. You may have seen one or two of these majestic creatures appearing on the big screen during events like the Olympics or Burghley Horse Trials. So if you’re looking for a mount that has beauty as well as brains, then look no further than the Irish Sport Horse – an athlete with a heart of gold!
The Irish Sport Horse is a beautiful breed that can be easily recognized by its trademark characteristics. Typically standing between 15 and 17 hands high, the horse has a long and lean silhouette. It is thought to be descended from Arabian and Saddlebred stock, resulting in an animal that has great endurance but also agility for jumping or dressage. The head of the Irish Sport Horse is refined with large gentle eyes that exude wisdom, making them good-natured companions. Their wide set nostrils are ideal for breathing during strenuous activities like galloping over fences and their short ears give them an alert expression. Moving down the body you’ll find a strong neck leading into broad shoulders with well-defined muscles. The backline is typically short which gives way to powerful hindquarters with strong legs. The tail is set low, giving the horse an aesthetically pleasing silhouette when viewed from behind. Fear not though, this athletic breed doesn’t sacrifice beauty in order to be competitive – far from it! The coat of an Irish Sport Horse ranges in colour from bay to chestnut and often includes unique markings such as star or snip on its face. When groomed properly the horses have a glossy finish that adds to their allure in the show ring or cross country course alike. Whether you’re after a mount for pleasure riding or competing at a high level, look no further than the stunning Irish Sport Horse: an athlete with grace and poise that cannot be beat!
The Irish Sport Horse is a breed with a long and storied history, tracing its roots back to the 17th century. During this time, Arabians and Thoroughbreds were imported into Ireland by the British to be used in military campaigns. These horses were then cross-bred with local ponies such as the Hobby Horse, Connemara Pony, and Irish Draught creating what we now know as the Irish Sport Horse. Though initially used for racing and hunting, the breed quickly rose to prominence in equestrian sports. Its strong hindquarters enabled them to jump with ease which allowed them to excel in show jumping events. The breed has since become known across the world for their athletic ability and grace in dressage arenas. In 1949, the Irish Sport Horse was officially recognized by The National Stud Board of Ireland who sought to protect and promote the breed’s heritage through lots of initiatives such as awarding certificates of merit for outstanding performance or breeding stock that display exemplary qualities. Today, these magnificent animals still continue to perform above expectations at national and international levels competing in events like Badminton Horse Trials or Grand Prix showjumping around the globe. So if you’re looking for an equine companion that is strong enough for competitions yet gentle enough for pleasure riding then look no further than the mighty Irish Sport Horse - a beautiful animal whose history speaks volumes!