The
Irish Draught Horse
A HORSE FOR ALL SEASONS
H I S T O R Y
Breed History
From the earliest times horses have always been part of Irish life. Over the years the small
active native horse was crossed with Norman warhorses, Great Horses from
England and also Spanish Andalusian stallions brought in by way of trade. There
were many schemes throughout the 19th and 20th centuries to increase the size
and quality of the Irish Draught Horse in which the thoroughbred horse played
a significant role. From these beginnings the Irish Draught Horse of today
evolved.
An Irish Riding Horse in 1617
Background
The first authentic reference
to the Irish Draught dates
from the close of the
eighteenth century. At that
time a great increase in the Farmers worked their horses alone or coupled Pride of Shaunlara, by Milestone RID, out of Boston Burglar
area of land under tillage took with a neighbour’s horse for heavier work by Prefairy. This stallion had a pre-eminent influence on
place and this created a today’s Irish Draught
demand for bigger, stronger
and more docile horses than
was required when land was
devoted to grass land and the
rearing of cattle and sheep.
The Irish farmer bred for
himself a lighter, more
adaptable animal than the
heavy breeds available in
England. He needed a horse
he could work, drive and ride.
According to the old rhyme
the Irish Draught Horse could
“plough, sow, reap and mow,
go to church and hunt”. Clover Hill, RID stallion, by Golden Beaker. One of Ireland’s King of Diamonds, RID, by Errigal, RID, consistently
greatest sires of showjumpers ranked among sires of showjumpers in world
Draught Horses were bred to rankings since 1990
be strong and gentle, have a
good trot, and be able to
gallop and jump.
Consequently today’s Irish
Draught is not simply a
working horse, it is a riding
and sporting horse as well.
Front Cover (clockwise from top left)
• Antrim, (ID) Sire: O’Malley Dam: Terence Lady
• The Garda Mounted Unit
• Grange Bouncer, (RID) stallion. Sire: Prospect
Pride Dam: Grange Heather
• Beezies Sue, (RID) mare. Sire: Sea Crest Dam:
Princess of Woodlands.
• Coille Mor Hill, (RID) stallion. Sire: Clover Hill
Dam: Lawrencetown Lassy
• Nancy Steele, (RID) mare. Sire: Holy Cross Dam:
Whitechurch Sal
• The Likely Lad, (ID). Sire: Pride of Shaunlara Kildalton Countess RID, dam of five RID stallions. Sire: Ben Purple Dam Enniskeane Countess with her grand daughter
Dam: Brosna Queen Enniskeane Primrose RID, Sire: Ginger Dick Dam: Creggan Rose.
• Irish Draught Mares
• Eden Ginger, (ID). Sire: Ginger Dick Dam:
Swinford Girl
–2–
V E R S A T I L I T Y
Versatility
One of the real strengths of the Irish Draught Horse is its Versatility. Because of its
wonderful temperament it learns quickly and is very easy to work with. Its strength,
intelligence and lightness of step means that it can perform in many varied
disciplines including show jumping, eventing, dressage, driving, le trek and
endurance riding. Above all its reliability makes it an extremely safe and sound
horse for the amateur and leisure rider. Today the Irish Draught Horse is to be found
competing in every aspect of equestrian sport. It is also being used as a Police
Horse in many countries.
A team of four Irish Draught geldings coping easily with a water hazard Kingman, ID gelding, consistently successful three-
day-event competitor. Sire: Creggan Diamond
Dam: Serene Sunset
Sir Rivie, RID Stallion, successful show jumper. Sire Sea Crest. Dam: Ginger Anne Chrystal Breeze RID mare, prizewinning Le Trec competitor, by Heather Breeze out
of April Jewel
Huntingfield Rebel, RID
stallion, National
Performance Champion.
Sire: Glenagyle Rebel
Dam: Whippy
O’Leary’s Irish Diamond,
RID Stallion winner of
numerous dressage
championships in the
United States.
Sire: Glidawn Diamond
Dam: Grey Currangong
–3–
PART BRED IRISH DRAUGH
Part Bred Irish Draughts on the World Stage
Ever since show jumping had its birth here in Ireland and
went on to become an international sport at the end of the
19th century, the Irish Draught Horse has played a major
role. The temperament, durability and athleticism of the Irish
Draught, so important in crosses with the Thoroughbred, has
created a potent mix which is suitable for the demands of
modern day show jumping.
Numerous horses with Irish Draught Breeding are competing
successfully on the International Circuit. The Irish Draught/
Thoroughbred cross is famous throughout the world as the
Irish Sport Horse, a much wanted competition horse.
Carling King (ISH) 1991 gelding, by Clover Hill (RID), out of Gortnagger Star (ISH)
by Chairlift (TB), bred by Dr Pat Geraghty, Kilkerrin Road, Glenamaddy, Co Galway.
Rider: Mr K Babington (Irl). Won the East Coast League, Ariat WEF Challenge Cup
Series Final (USA) CSI-W March 2001
Boherdeal Clover (ISH) 1989
approved stallion by Clover
Hill (RID), out of Virginia Wolf
(ISH), by Regular Guy (TB),
bred by Ms Pamela Miller,
Mount Cashel Stud, Mount
Cashel, Co Roscommon.
Rider: Lt David O’Brien.
Won the 1m50 SEB Cup Table
A in Falsterbo (Swe) 2002
Coolcorron Cool Diamond (ISH) 1989 approved
stallion, by Glidawn Diamond (RID), out of
Bonmahon Belle (ISH), by Bronti (ISH), bred by Mr
Francis Fitzgerald, Ballinasisla Stud, Bonmahon, Co
Waterford. Rider: Mr R Splaine (Irl). Member of the
Winning Samsung Nations Cup Teams at
Washington (USA) and Toronto (CAN) in 2001
Master Ballinteskin (ISH)
1994 gelding, by Master
Imp (TB), out of Highland
Beauty (AID), by Highland
King (ISH), bred by Ms
Francis Hatton, Slyguff,
Bagnelstown, Co Carlow.
Rider: Mr M Hauri (Sui).
2nd in the 7 year old
final of the FEI World
Breeding Jumping
Championships for young
horses, Lanaken 2001
Ado Annie (ISH) 1993 filly, by Errigal Flight (ISH), out of
Coolrain Princess (ISH) by Blue Henry (RID), bred by Ms
Frances Sheeran, Glebe, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co Laois. Rider:
Mr Will Simpson (USA). Won $60,000 Tiffany & Company Grand
Prix at the Oaks Blenheim Fall Classic in 2001
–4–
HTS ON THE WORLD STAGE
Irish Sport Horses have continued gaining great successes on
the International show jumping circuit in recent times. In 2001,
they won over 50 international classes in 12 countries
worldwide. ‘Carling King’ by Clover Hill (RID) represented
Ireland on the Gold winning team at the European
Championships in Arnhem (NL) and won the Grand Prix in
Hickstead (CSIO). In 2000, Ireland won a record 10 Nations
cups. Of the 13 Irish Sport horses that competed on those Irish
teams 5 were by Irish Draught stallions, ‘Ballaseyr Twilight’,
‘Dream Point Clover’ and ‘Carling King’, (by Clover Hill, RID),
‘Coolcorron Cool Diamond’ (by Glidawn Diamond, RID) and
‘The Prophets Thumb’ (by Knockboy, RID). ‘Ballaseyr Twlight’
also won the Kings Cup at Hickstead and the Kerrygold Grand
Prix in Dublin.
Killossery (ISH) 1992
Mister Springfield (ISH) 1993 gelding, by Western Promise (ISH), out of Glebe
gelding, by Clover Hill
Bess (RID) by Ballinahow Boy (RID), bred by Mr Robert L Gallagher, 22
(RID), out of Jeannie
Springfield Road, Co Derry. Rider: Mr R Smith (GB). Won in the 1m50 - Table
(ISH), by Radical (TB). He
A with Jump off at Alencon (FRA) in 2001
was bred by Killossery
Lodge Stud, Kilsallaghan,
Co. Dublin and owned by
the Minister of Defence.
Rider: Mr S. Carey (Irl).
Won the 1m60 H&M
Derby - Table A in
Falsterbo (Swe) CSIO****
in 2002
Loughtown Atlanta (ISH)
1991 gelding, by Clover
Hill (RID), out of Northern
Rose (ISH) by Northern
Value (TB). Bred by
Gabriel O’Connor, St
Jarlaith’s Place, Tuam, Co
Galway. Rider: Mr R Letter
(Sui). Won the 1m50 -
Table A with jump off in
St Gallen (Sui) CSIO in
2001
Tomgar Rocky (ISH) 1989 gelding, by Diamond Lad (RID) out of Bracklin Sky
(ISH), by Skyboy (TB), bred by Mr Charles Pidgeon, Bracklin, Kilbeggan, Co
Westmeath. Rider: Mr H.D Dreher (Ger). Won the Grand Prix at San Lazzaro
(ITA) CSI C in 2002
Cruising (ISH) 1985 approved stallion
by Sea Crest (RID), out of Mullacrew
(ISH), by Nordlys (TB) bred at Hartwell
Stud, Kill, Co Kildare. Winner of Grand
Prix in Aachen and Dortmund in 1999
Clover Leaf (ISH) 1986 gelding, by Clover Hill (RID) dam by Middle
Temple (TB). Rider: Ms L Howard (USA). Won the $30,000 Grand Prix
FEI World Cup in Tampa (USA) in 2001
–5–
P R E S E R V I N G
T h e I r i s h D r a u g h t H o r s e
The Irish Draught Horse Society was founded in 1975. Its aims are to encourage and assist breeders and those interested
in the preservation, promotion and improvement of the breed. There are currently 17 branches of the Society all over
Ireland and affiliated groups in Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, the United States of America, Canada and Australia.
The studbook is maintained on behalf of the Society by The Irish Horse Board and the Northern Ireland Horse Board. All
animals are inspected for entry into the studbook.
Stallion Inspections
Registered Irish Draught stallions are inspected for type, conformation, movement, soundness and temperament. Colts
for inspection must be at least three years of age and must pass a veterinary examination and performance test as part
of the approval procedure.
Classic Vision, RID Stallion, Grade A showjumper. Sire: Ginger Dick. Dam: Lady Glen Annaghdown Star, RID Stallion, winner of the stallion class at the Royal
Dublin Society Horse Show in 1991, 1993, and 1997. Sire: King Elvis
Dam: Annaghdown Gold
Mare Inspections
All potential Registered Irish Draught mares are inspected for type, conformation and movement. Mares for inspection
must be at least two years of age and must pass a veterinary examination. Inspections are held at locations round the
country during the autumn of each year.
The Blue Lady, RID, winner of the Royal Dublin Society Irish Draught Mare Brehan’s Pride, RID. Winner of All Ireland Championship in 1996
Championship in 1996 and 1999 and winner of the Breeders Championship in Sire: Pride of Toames. Dam: Brehan Lass
1996. Sire: Blue Rajah. Dam: Seafin Lady
Judging Courses
Courses are held for future judges to instruct them on the finer
points of conformation and movement.
–6–
P R O M O T I N G
T h e I r i s h D r a u g h t H o r s e
Qualifiers and Championships
In co-operation with the Irish Shows Association the Irish Draught Horse Society holds All Ireland Irish Draught Mare and
Young Horse Championships for which contenders must qualify at venues round the country for finals at the National
Show.
Enniskeane Flash RID. Winner of Bank of Ireland All Ireland RID Championship and Lady in Red RID, winner of Mare of the Future and many other
numerous other Championships. Sire: Mountain Pearl Dam: Enniskeane Primrose Championships. Sire: Grosvenor Lad Dam: Ginger Grace
The National Show
The national breed show is run by the Society annually. It is
hosted by Branches of the Society and the show location
changes every two years. There are classes for mares, foals,
stallions, young stock and also a performance section. Every
year 300–500 of the best of the breed attract visitors from all
over the world. It is the place to see the world’s greatest
gathering of Irish Draught Horses.
Killountain Pearl RID. Youngstock winner at the National Show
Sire: Crannagh Hero Dam: Killountain Diamond
Necarne Castle, Co Fermanagh, location
of the National Show 2000 – 2001.
Irish Draught foal, winner of the FBD Connaught Championship. Derrynagarra Clorin RID. Reserve Champion National Show 2000 and RDS 2000
Sire: Huntingfield Rebel Dam: Oh Carol Sire: Crosstown Dancer Dam: Banks Fee Annabel
–7–
S A L E S & I N F O R M AT I O N
The Irish Draught National Sale
This is one of the most important shop windows for Irish Draught Breeders. Buyers come from England, Germany, France,
The United States, Canada and as far away as New Zealand, to buy directly from the breeders. The National Sale takes
place early in October each year at Cavan Equestrian Horse Marketing Centre.
The Irish Horse Board Inward Buyer Programme operates at this sale whereby travel refunds are provided for successful
buyers of horses for export at this auction. Contact the Irish Horse Board or the Sales Company for more details.
Cavan Equestrian Horse Marketing Centre
Latt, Cavan,
Co Cavan,
Ireland.
Phone: 353 49 4332017
Fax: 353 49 4331400
Website: www.cavanequestrian.com
E-mail: info@cavanequestrian.com
Irish Draught Horse Society
Helen Kelly, Secretariat,
Irish Draught Horse Society,
Derrynagarra, Collinstown,
Co Westmeath, Ireland.
Phone: 353 44 61199
Fax: 353 44 61199
Website: www.irishdraught.ie
Email: idhs@eircom.net
Irish Horse Board
Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Secretariat: Helen Kelly,
Part funded under the National Derrynagarra, Collinstown
Tel: +353 (1) 607 2816. Fax: +353 (1) 662 0763
Development Plan Co. Westmeath.
E-mail: ihb@ihb.ie
Website: www.irishhorseboard.com Tel: +353 (44) 61199. Fax: +353 (44) 61199
