Stallion Selections

The 2020 Horse Sport Ireland Stallion Selections took place in Cavan Equestrian Centre on the 10^th and 11^th of March. A total of 30 stallions were presented for inspection, eight Irish Sport Horse stallions, 19 Irish Draught stallions, two Thoroughbreds and one pony stallion.

Irish Draught stallions were initially presented to the Irish Draught studbook inspectors in-hand on the triangle, where their conformation, walk and trot were assessed. They were then shown loose to further assess their movement and athleticism. Of the Irish Draught stallions presented, seven achieved Class 1 status.

Of the 11 stallions presented for Stage 1 for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Sport Pony Studbook, four met the Stage 1 requirements on the first day. This entails an in-hand conformation assessment using linear profiling and movements is assessed on the triangle then hard surface followed a loose or ridden athleticism assessment. Three Irish Sport Horse Stallions met the Stage 1 requirements and presented for Stage 2 assessment on Wednesday where they were ridden by their own rider and subsequently ridden by Capt. Geoff Curran, the test rider for the Irish Sport Horse Stage 2 assessments. The four-year-old Lithium V.S. and the five-year-old Kaiden Leva WD both met the criteria and were classified as Preliminary Approved.

Commenting on the 2020 inspections, Alison Corbally, HSI Director of Breeding and Programmes, stated

“There was strong representation of 19 Irish Draught Stallions who came forward for inspection this year, eight Irish Sport Horses, two Thoroughbred’s and one pony. The preparation and turnout of all stallions was excellent and commented on by both inspection panels.  I would like to acknowledge the effort put in by the stallion owners and their support staff in producing these young horses so well.  I hope that breeders, will consider using these newly classified stallions and give them an opportunity to start their breeding careers with good mares. While imported semen is very useful for out crosses, as an industry we need to consider and support Irish based stallions to ensure the investment made by Stallion owners in Ireland continues to thrive the future. We wish them all the best of luck in their breeding careers.”

Provisional Irish Sport Horse Studbook Stallion Inspection Results 2020

Provisional Irish Draught Horse Studbook Stallion Inspection Results 2020