Wow - even George Morris would have trouble critiquing that!
[QUOTE=LaoiseNic;2746675]
I can assue you not all R.I.D.s run out of gas 
My boy is 16 now and still leaves the TBs behind at the end of the day (usually the TBs are stuck on the other side of a bank or ditch :lol:) There is nothing like hunting an I.D. Its their job and they know it!!![/QUOTE]
I think I need to re-qualify my earlier statement. The hills that we hunt in California would be called mountains in any other part of the country. So yes, on our “hills” I.D.'s can run out of gas.
They are still very fun to hunt, if you are diligent about how you use there energy.
Well I can hardly wait until our ISH colt is old enough to start hunting! I’ve hunted mostly TB’s and TB/Clydes, but the ISH seems to be a great cross. The 1/2 TB shines through…he’s a great mover and very athletic, but an absolute SANE, sweetheart. He has actually sprouted up 5 inches in the past 7 months, too!!
This has been a fun thread for me to read. I just lost my own imported ISH this summer to colic. I’ve never owned a horse who tried more than he did to please his owner. I doubt I’ll ever find another like him.
As for hunting, don’t get me started. I am a hunter rider who came rather late to the sport–the first time I ever hunted was in Ireland five years ago. Five minutes into the hunt, and we’re jumping a 3-6 stone wall off the road into a pasture with a muddy drop beyond. And that was just the start of it. My six-year-old ISH took care of me that day, just as every Irish horse I’ve ever hunted has taken care of me since. Stamina, surefootedness, jumping ability, temperament, this is one breed which brings the whole package.
Gosh, this is a fun thread to read! I cant wait for my RID filly to be old enough to go hilltopping:0 looking forward to next year! She is sooo sane and sweet. nothing fazes her.
finding the bottom
Well I haven’t found the bottom on this guy yet, but we are headed to Live Oak for the weekend and they are reported to have 10-16 mile coyote runs:eek:, so we shall see.
http://erikolsenphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/white_oak_creek/woc-036_16_1_2_11_3_4
http://erikolsenphotography.exposuremanager.com/p/opening_meet6/gom08-1838
Currently one of the masters of the AVH is out on his big ole Irish Draught (or ISH - looks full draught though).
I miss my 3/4 draught I imported from Ireland. Hunter one season as a 4 year old… went over on a vaca. with friends and yup, he was on a plane three weeks later. Didn’t realize how green he was, but with his laid back personality, he was fun, fun, fun. We did everything together - except Hunt. He was trianed through Third Level dressage, we Evented at Beginner Novice and went around the Hunter ring with aplomb. Such versatile animals. Half asleep in the start box at each Event, but as soon as the buzzer went off he was all business… kept my butt in the tack on many an occassion.
Now that I’ve finally begun Hunting I desperately wish I had him around. I’m out on my Oldenburg mare who is figuring it out and oh so willing… but my Irish boy was made for the Hunt field. They’re awesome! Smart, careful and more athletic than most would give them credit for. True do it all mounts!
Carolinagirl, is that you on the grey, whipping in?
Is that Tot Goodwin!!!
I want to hunt with you all! You all look like you’re having the best time & your
Hounds are, too!
Have fun with Live Oak!
You know I am told that some of the Cleveland Bays born off-color or with extra white ended up in Ireland labelled as Irish Draughts.
What you all say about your fabulous Irish horses seems to ring true also about my Cleveland crosses. They seem born with a “hunting gene” and just get it right from the start.
I am also a fan of Dandelion Diamond Rebel whom I have seen hunting with the Potomac MFH…
awm you have a PM
