2015 top ranked ISH eventer in the world Cambalda gets the smooch treatment from Stephaine Cauffman and Erin Rose, Photo courtesy of Jennie Brannigan.
As athletic as they are tough, it’s no wonder Irish Sport Horses consistently dominate the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses Eventing Studbook Rankings.
The breed has come out on top in the WBFSH’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 5 eventing studbooks on the 2015 WBFSH final ranking list, released in September:
Screenshot from WBFSH.org
You can view the full list here.
After being absent from the 2014 list, horses competing under the American flag made a reappearance on the 2015 list, led by Cambalda (#9), Loughan Glen (#15) and Master Frisky (#17).
Cambalda (Balda Beau x Cathy’s Lady, by Unknown) the 14-year-old ISH owned by Nina Gardener and ridden by Jennie Brannigan, ranked 5th in individual horse standings in 2013 and 9th last year. The starting date of the rankings is Oct. 1 of each year so their big win in the 2014 Fair Hill CCI3* counted toward their point total, followed by top three CIC3* finishes at Red Hills, The Fork, Great Meadow and Richland Park.
Jennie Brannigan and Cambalda. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Next down the line is no. 15 ranked Loughan Glen (Limerick x Tattymacall Mustard, by Cut the Mustard), owned by Jess Montgomery, Kathryn Kraft and Holly and William Becker and ridden by Clark Montgomery. The pair started off their 2015 with a win in the Belton CIC3*, followed by an impressive 6th place finish in the Luhmühlen CCI4* and wins in the Somerford Park CIC2* and Blenheim CCI3*.
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
No. 17 ranked Master Frisky (Master Imp x Frisky Legs, by Cooper’s Hill), owned by Stephen Blauner and Kenneth Shelley and ridden by Boyd Martin, had a massive year as well, finishing 2nd behind Cambalda at in the Fair Hill CCI3*, 2nd in the CIC3* at Carolina International, and 6th in the Rolex CCI4*.
Boyd Martin and Master Frisky. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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-even-exhaustive list of other ISHs that broke into the 2015 top 200 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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- #35. Phillip Dutton and Fernhill Fugitive. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #37. Nicola Wilson and Annie Clover. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #43. Buck Davidson and Ballynoe Castle RM. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Hannah Sue Burnett and Harbour Pilot. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #67. William Fox-Pitt and Bay My Hero. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #87. Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- Heather Morris and Charlie Tango. Photo by Sally Spickard.
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- Kurt Martin and Delux Z. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #109. Chris Burton and Graf Liberty (AUS). Photo by Leslie Wylie.
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- #113. Joseph Murphy and Sportsfield Othello for Ireland. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- #114. Paul Tapner and Kilronan. Photo by Jenni Autry.
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- #144. Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison. Photo by Samantha Clark.
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- Matt Brown and Supersocks BCF at the 2015 Boekelo CCI3*. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Go Irish Sport Horses, and Go Eventing!
