Kiss Me, I’m an Irish Sport Horse!

Paul Tapner and Kilronan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

As athletic as they are tough, it’s no wonder Irish Sport Horses have topped the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Eventing Studbook rankings for 8 out of the last 10 years.

Last year, once again, they dominated the rankings. The 2014 list, released in September:

Screenshot from WBFSH.org

Koninklijk Warmbloed Paardenstamboek Nederland (KWPN) and Hannoveraner Verband e. V. (HANN) rounded out the top 5. (View the complete list here.)

Unlike 2013, when 4 of the top 6 horses on the ISH list were competing under the American flag (Ballynoe Castle RM, #2; , #4 Harbour Pilot, #4; Cambalda, #5; Fernhill Eagle, #6), U.S. horses were conspicuously absent from the 2014 list.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Irish Sport Horses don’t have a giant presence in American eventing sport. At Rolex last year, Irish horses were the second most represented breed (16 horses) behind Thoroughbreds (24 horses)

Who are some Irish Sport Horses who have and continue to dominate the top of American sport? In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a not-even-exhaustive list:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Go Irish Sport Horses, and Go Eventing!