HORSE Sport Ireland (HSI) has implemented numerous initiatives for breeders this year.

One of the major accomplishments of Horse Sport Ireland’s new breeding policy is the introduction of inspections for Irish Sport Horse mares. Breeders will have the opportunity to present their Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught mares for inspection at various equestrian centres throughout the country in August and September. All mare owners will be provided with a linear profile for their mare which will contain a detailed description of the mare’s strengths and weaknesses and will prove extremely useful when making future breeding decisions.

HSI has introduced a new star rating system for Irish Sport Horse stallions and mares. ‘Approved’ stallions and ‘Select’ mares are eligible for star ratings based of their own performance, or their progeny’s performance in show jumping, eventing and dressage.

The new star rating system will enable breeders to readily identify how stallions rank within these various disciplines without having to analyse copious performance records. Fourteen of the stallions that have met 5 Star Status will be taking part in the HSI Irish Sport Horse Five Star Stallions parading at the RDS on Friday 6th 12.25pm & Saturday 7th August at 1pm.

HSI has published the first issue of ‘HSI Breeder’, a magazine for the breeders of Irish Sport Horses and Irish Draught Horses. Copies of the magazine have been sent out to over 17,000 breeders and are available at the HSI stand at the RDS. HSI has also introduced a Registration Helpline for breeders with registration queries (LoCall 1890 929 989). The Helpline is open from Monday to Friday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

A new inspection system for Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Horses stallions was introduced at Cavan Equestrian Centre in April 2010, which featured an enhanced loose jumping element, linear scoring, a detailed stallion catalogue, public announcement of provisional results and a comment from the Chairman of the inspection panel on each stallion.

A total of 32 stallions were presented for Irish Sport Horse stallion inspection and 42 Irish Draught stallions were presented for inspection. Now, for the first time, breeders are able to access the inspection results of stallions that met the inspection requirements from the HSI website (www.horsesportireland.ie).

HSI is planning on introducing further initiatives to benefit breeders in 2010 and 2011. These initiatives include the launching of the HSI’s online pedigree database, publishing a new format stallion book and developing a genetic diversity information service for Irish Draught breeders.
 

The first issue of HSI Breeder magazine