Mighty Nice and Brighton. Photo by Jenni Autry.
As athletic as they are tough, it’s no wonder Irish Sport Horses consistently dominate the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses/Rolex Eventing Studbook Rankings.
The breed has come out on top in WBFSH/Rolex’s FEI point based ranking system every year since 2004 with two exceptions, 2010 and 2011, when it was temporarily unseated by the Hanoverian Verband and Studbook Selle Français respectively.
Last year, once again, the Irish horses needed no luck to land the no. 1 spot. The top five eventing studbooks on the 2016 WBFSH/Rolex final ranking list, released in September:
You can view the full list here.
After being absent from the 2014 list, horses competing under the American flag made a reappearance at the top of the 2015 list, led by Cambalda (#9), Loughan Glen (#15) and Master Frisky (#17). Two of Phillip Dutton’s rides made the 2016 cut: Mighty Nice (#2, the highest placed ISH in the WBFSH rankings) and Fernhill Fugitive (#29).
Mighty Nice, a 13-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Ard Ohio out of Sarazen, was bred by William Kells of Co. Cavan. Owned by the HND Group, needs little introduction. “Happy” was Phillip Dutton’s Rio Olympic partner, helping him earn an individual bronze medal for Team USA. He also finished fourth at Rolex Kentucky in 2016, marking his third finish in the top 10 at the North American CCI4*. The icing on the cake of their stellar year was being named USEF International Horse of the Year.
Phillip Dutton and Mighty Nice. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Fernhill Fugitive, a 2005 gelding by Lux Z out of Barnadown Ramiro, owned by Thomas Tierney and Ann Jones, was ranked #29 on the list. His 2016 performance highlights included a 13th place finish at Rolex and wins in the Red Hills CIC3* and Galway Downs CCI3*. He was bred by Maurice Cousins of Co. Wexford.
Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
Who are some other Irish Sport Horses at the top of eventing sport? In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a not-at-all-exhaustive list of other ISHs that broke into the 2016 top 1,500 or so top ranked event horses (see complete list here):
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- Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Oliver Townend and ODT Ghareeb at Blair Castle. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Nicola Wilson and Annie Clover. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Dani Evans’ Smart Time. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Oliver Townend and MHS King Joules. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Pietro Roman and Barraduff. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Kim Severson and Cooley Cross Border. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Aoife Clark and Wasting Light. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Clare Abbott and Euro Prince at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Emma Dougall and Fernhill Tabasco (AUS). Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Kylie Lyman and Lup the Loop. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Kylie Lyman and Sacramento. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Buck Davidson and Copper Beach. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Lauren Billys and Castle Larchfield Purdy. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Hannah Sue Burnett and Cooley Dream. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Paul Tapner and Kilronan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Caroline Martin and Spring Easy. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Jordan McDonald and Prince Mayo. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Karl Slezak and Fernhill Wishes. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Camilla Speirs and Portersize Just A Jiff. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Kim Severson and Fernhill Fearless. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Bill Levett and Shannondale Titan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Sharon White and Cooley on Show. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF at the 2015 Boekelo CCI3*. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Lillian Heard and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Oliver Townend and Cooley SRS. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Gabriel Figueiredo Silva Curry and Grass Valley. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Katherine Coleman and Longwood. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- Willa Newton and Neelix. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Kurt Martin and Delux Z. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Buck Davidson and The Apprentice. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
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- Alexandra Baugh and Ballingowan Pizazz. Photo by JJ Sillman.
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- Ashley Johnson and Tactical Maneuver. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.
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- Ellen Svennerstal and Southway. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Tim Price and Bango. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sally Spickard.
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- Sam Watson and Horseware Bushman. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Evelina Bertoli and Leitrim Orient Express. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Liz Halliday-Sharp and Fernhill By Night. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
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- Clara Cargile and White Indian. Photo by Sportfot.
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- Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Tom Crisp and Coolys Luxury. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #113. Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello for Ireland. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Jon Holling and Kildalton Cooley. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Luca Roman and Castlewoods Jake. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Mike Huber and Russell’s Reserve. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Jim Newsman and Magennis
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- Peter Flarup and CTS Twin Peaks. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Jenny Caras and Fernhill Fortitude. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Will Coleman and Off the Record. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Bill Levett and Improvise. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Go Irish Sport Horses, and Go Eventing!
