2023 HSI Stallion Selections

The 2023 Horse Sport Ireland Stallion Selections took place over two days, the 22^nd and 23^rd of March, in Cavan Equestrian Centre. These selections are supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Equine Technical Support fund.

Across the two days, a total of 39 stallions were presented for inspection, 6 Irish Sport Horse stallions, 7 Foreign Bred stallions, 3 Thoroughbred stallions, 1 pony stallion and 22 Irish Draught stallions.

In the Irish Draught stallion selections 22 stallions were presented for inspection and ten achieved Class 1 status.

Five stallions were Approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook, two of which were high-performance stallions presented for linear profiling that met all the requirements; a pony stallion also achieved Approved status in the the second stallion approved was an Irish Sport Pony stallion. This Irish Sports Pony is also classified as Preliminary Approved in the Irish Sport Pony studbook. The third stallion was a Thoroughbred stallion that was approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook based on his time form rating and the fourth stallion was a Thoroughbred stallion that met the requirements for inspection.

Of the 12 stallions presented for Stage 1 for the Irish Sport Horse Studbook, five of these met the Stage 1 requirements and one of these stallions, including two from the previous year, went on to present for Stage 2 assessment. Two of the horses presented for Stage 2 met the requirements to be classified as Preliminary Approved.

“We were very pleased to see 22 well-presented young stallions come forward, and delighted to see 10 of them achieve class 1 status. The standard of those who met the requirements was higher than previous years, we saw a marked improvement on foreleg conformation and movement in particular. Some of the horses forward could have done with more time to mature and develop,”

– Liam Cotter, Irish Draught Studbook selection panel Chairperson.

“Year on year the quality of stallions being presented improves. This year there was some very impressive young stallions accepted and the panel were pleased with the stallions that met the requirements for Approved, Preliminary Approved and Stage 1. We’d also like to acknowledge the standard of presentation for the horses that were brought forward to the selections.”

– Jack Doyle, Irish Sport Horse Studbook selection panel Chairperson.

Commenting on the 2023 inspections, Sonja Egan, HSI Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development, said: “The 2023 stallion inspections were a great success; the event was well supported by breeders nationally and internationally. We had a fantastic group of stallions come forward for selection this year.

“It was wonderful to see a spectator turnout return and event increase on pre-COVID levels. We were joined by future breeders – at just three days old – and seasoned breeders of which have a collection of some of our very first Irish Draught stallion books.

“It is events like these which highlight the value and investment breeders make in producing the best for the future of the industry. We had 2022 Irish Draught stallions presented this year, ten of which met the criteria for Class 1.

“We were also presented with a selection of performance and young sport horse stallions seeking classification in the Irish Sport Horse studbook. Of these stallions, five were classified as Approved (two sport horse, one Irish Sport Pony and two thoroughbreds); two Preliminary Approved and four young stallions passing Stage 1. The presenting Irish Sport Pony was also classified as Preliminary Approved in the Irish Sports Pony Studbook.

“Further to the inspector comments, and stakeholder feedback, I would like to commend all breeders and owners on the high standard of presentation of their stallions. I wish to congratulate stallion owners and breeders on the success of their breeding decisions across the selections and wish them the very best of luck in the 2023 breeding season.”

Horse Sport Ireland is also delighted to announce a further group of high performance stallions that met the required performance level to be Approved within the Irish Sport Horse Studbook.
These include the Irish Draught stallion DS Ballagh Bouncer (IDC1) who met the required dressage performance and has also been awarded a silver merit for his showjumping performance and a gold merit for his results in the show ring.

Also approved were the Irish Sport Horse stallions Diamond Roller (ISH) who was approved based on his progeny’s performance, and Mr. Lincoln B. (ISH) who was approved based on his own performance.

The high-performance stallions Carambole (KWPN), Kasanova De La Pomme (BWP) and Chat Botte Du Ruisseau Z (Zang) were also given the Recognised status within the Irish Horse Sport Studbook based on their own performance.

Recognised is the highest award a stallion standing outside of Ireland can achieve.

Provisional Irish Sport Horse Studbook Stallion Inspection Results 2023

Tyrellspass Prince Charming (ISP) by Chinook Limelight 7542 (WPB) out of Megland Mooncharm (CHPS) by Acado (DR). Bred and owned by Catherine Boylan. Preliminary approved ISP studbook.

Sandro Van De Berghoeve (BWP) by Hunter’s Scendro (HANN) out of Mademoiselle De Muze (BWP) by Elvis Ter Putte (BWP). Bred by Vadebo NV/Paul Van De Bosch. Owned by Annemarie Pender. Preliminary Approved.

Provisional Irish Sports Pony Studbook Stallion Inspection Results 2023

Provisional Irish Draught Horse Studbook Stallion Inspection Results 2023

WRS Sun Rise (IDC1) by WRS Sun rich (ID) out of Guilla Mai (ID) by Home Rule (ID). Bred by Humphrey Moynihan, owned by Cathal Shine.

Additional Stallions Approved in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook

DS Ballagh Bouncer (IDC1) has a gold merit for showing, a silver merit for show jumping and a silver merit for dressage.