The top 10 Irish Sport Horses of 2018 according to the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings. Photos by EN.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day! Here at EN, no proper celebration of the holiday would be complete without a toast to the huge role that Irish Sport Horses play in eventing.
As athletic as they are tough, it’s no wonder the breed consistently dominates 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 three exceptions, 2010, 2011 and 2018, when it was temporarily unseated by the Hanoverian Verband, Studbook Selle Français and KWPN respectively. Last year ISH Studbook was jostled into second by the narrowest of margins — it’s polite to let others have a turn on the throne every now and again, we suppose! View the 2018 studbook rankings here.
The top 10 ISH eventing point earners of 2018, as per the final ranking list here:
Sarah Ennis (IRE) and Horseware Stellor Rebound (IRL) at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
#1. Irish eventer Sarah Ennis and Horseware Stellor Rebound, a 15-year-old ISH gelding by VDL Ricochet owned by Horseware Products LTD, Niki Potterton and Orla Ennis, topped the charts on a point total of 257 thanks to a banner competition year. Most notably they finished 5th individually at the 2018 WEG in Tryon, helping lead Team Ireland to the silver medal. Other top finishes included a 2nd in the Chatsworth CIC3* leg of the Event Rider Masters series, a CIC3* win at Kilguilkey International H.T. and a 2nd in the Cappoquin CIC3*.
Sam Watson (IRE) and Horseware Ardagh Highlight at Luhmühlen 2018. Photo by Jenni Autry.
#2. Also representing the silver medal winning Irish WEG squad was Sam Watson with Horseware Ardagh Highlight, a 15-year-old ISH gelding (Puissance x Gentle Servant, by Kings Servant) owned by Belinda Keir and the rider. The pair finished 14th at WEG and turned in solid performances throughout the year, including a 6th place finish in the horse’s first CCI4* effort at Luhmühlen.
Oliver Townend (GBR) and Ballaghmor Class at Blair Castle 2018. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
#3. Next up is Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class, a 12-year-old ISH gelding (Courage x Kilderry Place) owned by Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop and Val Ryan. The pair followed up a win at Burghley in 2017 with a 5th at Badminton and a 2nd at Burghley in 2019.
Piggy French (GBR) and Quarrycrest Echo at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.#4. Piggy French and Quarrycrest Echo, a 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Echo x Royal China, by Cavalier Royale) owned by Jayne McGivern, helped Team Great Britain find gold at the 2018 WEG with their 10th place individual finish. Another big finish was a win in the Chatsworth CIC3* ERM leg and a 2nd in the CIC3* at Hartbury.
Tim Price (NZL) and Ringwood Sky Boy at Kentucky in 2017. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
#5. Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy, a 16-year-old ISH gelding (Courage II x Sky Lassie, by Sky Boy) owned by Varenna Allen, Robert Taylor and the rider, round out the top five. In 2018 the pair finished 12th at Badminton and, memorably, won Burghley.
Emma McNab (AUS) and Fernhill Tabasco at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Photo by Leslie Threlkeld.
#6. Another chart-topping ISH we had the opportunity to see in the flesh at the 2018 WEG was Fernhill Tabasco, ridden by Emma McNab of Australia. The 11-year-old ISH gelding (Tabasco Van Erpekom x Dinin Rhoda, by Porter Rhodes), owned by Kevin McNab, Dom and Poppy Worcester, and Julia and Jamie Dougall, won Tattersalls CIC3* and was 11th at Luhmühlen.
Andrew Nicholson and Swallow Springs. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
#7. Andrew Nicholson and Swallow Springs, an 11-year-old ISH gelding (Chillout x Kilila, by Cult Hero) owned by Paul and Diana Ridgeon, were 2nd in the Bramham CCI3* and 3rd at Burghley.
Oliver Townend and Cooley SRS. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
#8. Oliver Townend and Cooley SRS (now Willingapark Cooley), a 12-year-old ISH gelding (Ramiro B x Ballynattin Pride, by Kiltealy Spring), were 2nd at Badminton and 12th at Burghley.
Caroline Martin (USA) and Islandwood Captain Jack. Photo by Jenni Autry.
#9. Two North American based pairs were able to crack the top 10. First off, Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack, a 10-year-old ISH gelding (Jack of Diamonds x Suir Touch, by Touchdown) owned by Sherrie Martin and the rider, had a string of impressive 2018 finishes. Among them, they were 2nd in the Jersey Fresh CIC3*, 6th in the Great Plains CICO3*-NC, and 2nd in the Rebecca Farm CCI3*.
Will Coleman (USA) and Off the Record. Photo by Jenni Autry.
#10. Rounding out the top 10 is Will Coleman with Off the Record, a 10-year-old ISH gelding (VDL Arkansas x Drumagoland Bay, by Ard Ohio) owned by the Off the Record Syndicate. Their list of 2018 accomplishments was topped by a win in the Great Meadows CICO3*-NC.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Go Irish Sport Horses, and Go Eventing!
