THE Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today (Monday) launched Horse Sport Ireland’s new online database, called CapallOir.

The database contains records of over 320,000 horses, with some having recorded pedigree dating back to the turn of the century.

In addition there are links to the results of horses in national and international competition, courtesy of the International Governing Body, the FEI, as well as Showjumping Ireland, Eventing Ireland and the Association of Irish Riding Clubs.

The database also provides breeders with Mean Kinship figures for Irish Draught Horses which will be important information in maintaining genetic diversity within the Irish Draught Horse population.

Speaking at the launch Minister Coveney said: "I want to congratulate HSI on this development which I am pleased to say has been financially supported by my department under the National Development Plan. The data provided online will be of immense benefit to both breeders and potential buyers."

Horse Sport Ireland Chairman Joe Walsh said that the equestrian sector had been characterised by fragmentation.

“There are a multiplicity of different organisations running equestrian competitions, and this database gives breeders the pedigree and progeny details for horses on the Irish Horse Register as well as direct links to performance results for over 30,000 of the horses,” he said.

“One of the main reasons for establishing Horse Sport Ireland was to bring the breeding and sport side of the equestrian sector together and this database is a manifestation of this. It will be an invaluable tool to breeders and anyone with an interest in the sport horse sector,” he explained.

The facility may be accessed here.
 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, left, with HSI Chairman Joe Walsh pictured at the launch