Is there any interest in the classic Irish Sport Horse anymore? Meaning 3/4 or whatever percentage thoroughbred and the other RID? I’ve found it rather interesting how these tended to make up a large portion of the old Olympic mounts and now I really don’t see them much anymore. There’s a lot of WB x RID or WB x ISH happening now that are getting called ISH. My personal goal and passion is to make classic ISH with about 3/4 Thoroughbred blood and 1/4 RID. I think these are overall very classy looking horses who are largely uncomplicated to ride, with good minds, good gaits and heart, and athletic.
We breed TB/Irish, ISH’s!! That cross is what I consider an ISH to be, but folks are going all directions since ANY horse with 1/8 Irish Draught blood is considered an ISH. Our favorite cross is the 3/4 TB, I/4 Irish that you mentioned. You get the refined looks and athletic ability of the TB (we hand picked all of our mares for superior temperament) and the puppy dog temperament of the Irish…not to say that they don’t have “pep”…just sooooo easy to deal with!! The youngsters we have for sale right now are by “Challenged”, our TB stallion by Unbridled’s Song out of an AP Indy mare. (Denny Emerson’s favorite blood lines for sport). Youngsters are VERY classy, athletic and pleasant. We have a FB page: JBSporthorses (Ok.) We have moved to Tx. and can’t update the FB info.
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The traditional irish horse contains only Connemara, ID and TB. Our Connemara x TB crosses are in high demand.
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Would love to follow but I’m only finding that farm name on FB in California and the UK. I’m pretty sure you’re allowed to have a link in your signature. Or PM it to me please.
Also a fan of the traditional ISH… I have a ~1990 model, imported with no papers so who knows, but clearly a bunch of Irish Draught in there – those ears give it away! And even at nearly 30 he is quite… athletic. I wish he’d tone it down already!
And from 2016, Phyllis Dawson’s essay on the the subject: http://www.teamwindchase.com/SavetheIrishHorse.htm
-Wendy
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Horse Sport Ireland has recognized a breeders’ group for the Traditional Irish Horse. They are committed to only using ID, Connemara, and TB in their foals. Historically the Irish Horse has used TB stallions on mares with native Irish blood, and they have hoped to produce show jumpers. They are facing a tremendous problem finding TB stallions with the genetics to pass on a show jumping style jump.
I’ve been told by one breeder that modern Irish steeplechasers have problems with jumping with a bascule, and that it’s so bad than the chasing establishment has changed their jumps to make up for it. Hurdlers are never taught how to jump with a bascule. It has also been said that the traditional NH mare lines are also dying out.
Apparently almost all of the Irish owners of TB stallions who stand for racing would die before breeding to even a TB mare for sport. It’s partly a function of the difference in stud fees and partly due to a feeling that a sport horse foal devalues the stallion for race breeding.
That really is a “narrow minded” shame that the TB industry has gone to. With the live cover restrictions a lot of good TB blood never gets shared with the show/sport part of the horse world!! We were lucky enough to buy “Challenged” a TB stallion by Unbridled’s Song out of Money Madam by AP Indy. First 4 dams on the mare’s side were multiple stakes winners themselves as well as multiple stakes producers!! We bred two crops before we got an offer too good to refuse by a race horse breeder!! We are keeping a lovely stallion prospect to breed on to our “Sport Horse” mares. Some TB traits are being lost…as in…soundness!!
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Did you get my message??
I’m having the same issue. 
And it’s good to hear there’s other out there.
Just send a post/message to “Jackie Burke” on FB and I can send you a share. You should really see what we are breeding!!! Super nice, super sane…and gorgeous!!
I’m getting a ton of interest in my 7/8 TB 1/8 Irish mare. But she is exceptionally well bred for eventing in particular.
jennifer
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There are Irish horsemen who are very concerned that the traditional Irish horse is becoming diluted by WBs and that something of immense value is being lost. They have formed ‘The Tradional Irish Horse Association’ and it is worth a look online.
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Reported the Paulabot
