Irish Sport Horse Studbook number one in the World

Francis Murray General October 13, 2013

IRISH SPORT HORSE STUDBOOK TOPS WBFSH EVENTING RANKINGS 2013

THE WBFSH 2013 rankings were announced last week. The Irish Sport Horse Studbook has taken the top spot in the studbook rankings for eventing. At the 2013 WBFSH annual meeting, the winning studbooks in the three disciplines were honored. The Irish Sport Horse Studbook topped the 2013 rankings on 1068 points, with six horses contributing to the final ranking points.

WBFSH president Jan Pedersen and HSI Director of Breeding & Programmes Alison Corbally

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook won the eventing rankings every year since the conception of the rankings in 1994 up until 2010. In 2012, the Irish Sport Horse Studbook never looked in doubt of winning and ultimately finished on 1,427 points, to reclaim the top spot in the rankings. In that same year, Mr Medicott (ISH) was named the number one event horse in the world.

This year, in sixth place, Mr Cruise Control (ISH) is the highest placed Irish Sport Horse in the individual eventing rankings. Born in 1999, the grey gelding was bred by Hartwell Stud’s Jenny McCann and sired by their resident stallion, Cruising (ISH). He is out of the Broussard (TB) mare Chia (ISH). This June, New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson rode Mr Cruise Control to victory in the highly contested Luhmuhlen CCI 4*.

Mr Cuise Control (ISH) & New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson

Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH) ranked 31^st individually following some top five international placings, including 4^th in the Rolex Kentucky CCI 4* with Bruce Davidson Jnr (USA).  Bred by Sylvester Cullen in County Wexford, this 13 year old gelding is by Ramiro B (BWP) out of Ballyvaldon Natalie (ISH), by Blue Laser (TB). Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH) is a full brother to CIC 3* eventer Tommy B Good (ISH), ridden by Ireland’s Denise O’Brien.

Ballynoe Castle RM (ISH) & Bruce Davidson Jnr (USA)

Following closely in individual 34^th place is the 2012 London Olympics Team Silver Medallist, High Kingdom (ISH). With Zara Phillips (GBR), High Kingdom finished  second to Mr Cruise Control in Luhmuhlen CCI 4*. A full brother to Olympic event horse Mandiba (ISH), High Kingdom (ISH) is by Master Imp (TB) out of High Dolly (ISH), by Chair Lift (TB), and was bred by Wicklow’s William Micklem.

High Kingdom (ISH) & Zara Phillips (GBR)

Our next Studbook representative is Harbour Pilot (ISH) who was bred in County Wicklow’s Kilbride Stud by Jacqueline Mars. Another by Cruising (ISH), Habour Pilot (ISH) is out of the eventing Thoroughbred mare Shannon who competed with Karen O’Connor (USA).

Harbour Pilot (ISH) & Hannah Sue Burnett (USA). Photo credit – Horse Junkies United

Ranked individual 50^th is the 11 year old gelding Cambalda (ISH). Ridden by American rider Jennie Brannigan, Cambalda (ISH) had a successful eventing season recording three second place finishes at CIC 3* level. Sired by Balda Beau (TB) and out of the Irish Sport Horse mare Cathys Lady, Cambalda (ISH) was bred in County Kilkenny by John Irish.

Cambalda (ISH) & Jennie Brannigan (USA). Photo credit – Pics of You

The final of our Studbook representatives accounting for the first place ranking is Fernhill Eagle (ISH) who finished in individual 51^st place. Fernhill Eagle (ISH) is ridden by Phillip Dutton making him the fourth of our top six Irish Sport Horse’s to be ridden by an American rider. The pair finished eleventh at Rolex Kentucky CCI 4* earlier this year. Fernhill Eagle (ISH) is by the Irish Sport Horse sire Coronea Eagle out of Tango Teela (ISH), by Cornelscourt (TB).

Fernhill Eagle (ISH) & Phillip Dutton (USA). Photo credit -Triple Crown Feed