The Irish Draught Horse: A History


Photo credit: Joan C.Griffith

Irish Draught Horse Resource Guide


Introduction
Early works
Books and journal articles
Irish Draught Horse Society

Sport Horse Ireland


Irish Horse Board
Show and sale catalogues
Newspapers
Web and multimedia


Horse Sport Ireland

Publications of (or about) the HSI

NEW!

HSI Rules and Practice relating to the Irish Horse Register  (April 2010) 40 pages.

Download PDF,  includes information about the Irish Sport Horse Studbook,  the Irish Draught Studbook,  cross-breeding programms, and in regards to the the ID,  Note: Irish Draught Horses that are registered with an Irish Draught Horse Studbook outside of Ireland will be classified in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook in the class whose criteria they meet, for cross breeding purposes.

 

 

HSI Breeding Policy for the Irish Draught Horse Studbook 2010 (March 2010) download PDF

HSI, Irish Draught and Irish Sport Horse Breeding Policies (March 2010) download PDF

 

 

New Breeding Policies Information Evenings  (March 2010)

Download PDF,  Meeting information.  HSI to hold information evenings on the HSI Breeding Policy for the Irish Draught Horse and the Irish Sport Horse, including details of the 2010 Studbook Classification process.

 

Irish Sport Horse Studbook, Foals Registered in 2008

download complete PDF from their website,  (not yet on their webiste) or IHB website?

 

HSI World-Class Irish-Bred Show Jumpers Report 2009

Download PDF NEW!

 

Proposed Breeding Policy Irish Draught Horse -  (November 2009)

Download PDF

 

NEW!

HORSE SPORT IRELAND IRISH DRAUGHT TASKFORCE CONSIDERS SUBMISSIONS

(11 Dec 2009)

HORSE Sport Ireland’s Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally confirmed that Horse Sport Ireland had received over 30 submissions to its draft Irish Draught policy which was published earlier this month.

Ms. Corbally said the taskforce were very pleased with the number of responses and the quality of them.

“We received a very good response to the call for submissions and generally they were very supportive of the direction the policy is taking. However, there were some very good suggestions for improvements,” she said.

The Taskforce had a day-long meeting last week to consider the submissions and the redrafted report will go before the next meeting of Horse Sport Ireland’s breeding sub-board.

The Taskforce consists of Michael Duignan (Chairman), Pat Gleeson, Dr. Charlotte Moore, Br. Alphonsus Gavigan and Timothy O’Regan.

 

From the HSI website:

HORSE SPORT IRELAND PUBLISHES DRAUGHT POLICY FOR CONSULTATION

06/11/09 HORSE Sport Ireland has published the draft report of the Irish Draught Horse Taskforce for consideration by breeders. 

The organisation is seeking comments on the document for further consideration by the Taskforce who will then submit its final report to the Horse Sport Ireland breeding sub- board.

The Taskforce was set up with the aim of establishing a new breeding policy for the Irish Draught Horse in order to preserve and improve the breed.

The Taskforce was charged with defining a suitable breed objective for the Irish Draught Studbook, proposing a suitable classification system for the Studbook, as well as proposing initiatives to improve the
quality of Irish Draught Horses being bred in Ireland.

A number of submissions were received and the Taskforce met on a number of occasions to consider these and to devise a policy document.


BREED OBJECTIVE

The Taskforce is proposing the following Breeding Objective for the Irish Draught Horse: "To breed Irish Draught Horses with good conformation, movement and temperament that conform to the breed standard, which will make good quality, sound, versatile horses and be a foundation breed, that when crossed with other breeds, will produce performance horses."

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The current Irish Draught Classification System, as well as the term 'RID', have been reviewed. From 2010 onwards, the breed code ID will be used and the main section of the studbook will be subdivided into four classes - Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Class 4. There will be a separate section of the Irish Draught Studbook for supplementary (grade up) animals.

Class 1 will include the best horses within the breed. Class 2 will include veterinary sound horses which did not meet the inspection requirements for entry into Class 1. Class 3 will include animals that do not satisfy the veterinary examination. Class 4 will be a holding class for all foals and horses bred from horses registered in Class 1 through 4 of the Studbook and, where ID mares have been crossed with Class 1 stallions, the Supplementary Register.

The Supplementary Section (Grade up Register) will accommodate mares with a small proportion of Thoroughbred or Connemara blood to enter the Studbook, with a view to strengthening some characteristics and adding genetic diversity. These mares will be accommodated with the Supplementary Section after meeting predefined criteria (e.g. one Class 1 ID parent and three Class 1 ID grandparents).

MERITS

In addition to the four classes, stallions will have the opportunity to gain 'Extra Merits' in addition to their Class 1 classification. These extra merits will be divided into Gold, Silver and Bronze.

LINEAR SCORING

The Taskforce has recommended the introduction of a linear scoring system. As well as being assessed for gait in hand, stallions will be required to demonstrate their free gait in the jumping pen. All Irish Draught stallions will be required to undergo a rigorous veterinary assessment.

MARES

Irish Draught mares over 2 years of age will be eligible to come forward for inspection where they will be assessed on their pedigree, conformation (using linear scoring) and gaits. As with the stallion
classification system, Extra Merits will be applied to the mare classification process. As part of the mare inspection, there will be the opportunity for mares to demonstrate free athleticism/jumping ability in the jumping pen. Successful mares will be awarded a Bronze Level Extra Merit and this portion of the inspection is voluntary. Irish Draught mares will also be required to undergo a clinical veterinary examination.

STUDBOOK INITIATIVES

The Taskforce has also proposed new Studbook initiatives including education and training of both inspectors and breeders, working with the ICBF (and other providers) to ensure genetic diversity is monitored and advanced, and Studbook harmonisation with other Irish Draught Horse Studbooks (e.g. USA, UK, etc.). Research will be carried out to identify the key markets for the Irish Draught breed.

SUBMISSIONS

The Taskforce has invited further submissions on the draft taskforce report to be received by Friday November 20th.

Horse Sport Ireland's Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally said that the opportunity was now being provided for breeders and other interested parties to put forward their comments on the document.

"We received a number of submissions to our initial call but we are anxious to have the views of breeders on this draft policy. The Taskforce put a huge amount of work into the document and we need to keep up the momentum with a view to having the new system in place for 2010," she said.

The full draft of the report can be downloaded.Download PDF

For more information please contact:

Alison Corbally
Director of Breeding & Programmes
Horse Sport Ireland
1st Floor, Beech House,
Millennium Park,
Naas,
Co. Kildare

Tel: 045-850 800
Fax: 045-850 850
Email: info@horsesportireland.ie

Web: www.horsesportireland.ie 


 

HSI proposed Breeding Policy  (August 2009)

The main elements of the new proposals which were produced by Horse Sport Ireland’s Breeding sub board following a comprehensive consultation process are:
• A new ‘Traffic light’ and star rating system for classifying stallions in the Irish Horse Register
• A new star rating classification system for mares.
• A new conformation assessment system for stallions based on linear scoring
• New criteria for the approval of Foreign bred stallions in the Irish Sport Horse Studbook.

“The key to any new system is to provide as much information to breeders, presented in an easily understood way, to empower them to make informed breeding decisions.   DOWNLOAD booklet

NEW!

 

Breeding into the Future (linear scoring)04 July 2009, By Quentin Doran-O'Reilly, Irish Farmer's Journal (online)

HSI announces Irish Draught Horse Breeding Taskforce  (June 2009) NEW!

From HorseTalk New Zealand (online)

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2009/06/072.shtml

New direction for Irish Draught horse breed

June 12, 2009 Horse Sport Ireland is setting up a taskforce on breeding policy for the Irish draught horse, which will include the establishment of a classification system for the breed.

As well as the classification system, the new group is to define a suitable breeding objective for the studbook, and propose studbook initiatives to improve the quality of Irish Draught horses being bred in Ireland.

The classification system will be in line with the Horse Sport Ireland Strategic Plan.

The taskforce will make recommendations to Horse Sport Ireland's breeding sub-board in relation to draught horse breeding policy. Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) has responsibility for maintaining the Irish Draught Horse Studbook.

HSI's Director of Breeding and Programmes Alison Corbally said that HSI had given a commitment in its Strategic Plan to develop a sustainable breeding policy for the Irish draught horse and were now establishing this group to move things forward

Corbally said that the group will be meeting shortly and she anticipates that they will seek submissions from breeders and other interested parties.

"We are keen, in line with our Strategic Plan, to consult with breeders and I anticipate the group will seek submissions from breeders in relation to what they see as the future for the Irish Draught Horse Studbook and what changes are required," she said.

The Membership of the group is as follows:
Michael Duignan - Member of HSI Board and breeding sub-board.
Norman Storey
Pat Hanly
Alphonsus Gavigan
Timothy O'Regan
Charlotte Moore
Pat Gleeson

It is envisaged the taskforce will report before September 30, 2009.

 

Similiar story is also in the Irish Independent (online)

HSI sets up taskforce after dispute over Irish draught horse breeding

http://www.independent.ie/farming/news-features/hsi-sets-up-taskforce-after-dispute-over-irish-draught-horse-breeding-1774537.html    (by Caitriona Murphy)  Tuesday 16 June 2009

 

 

  

Key point for the Irish Draught:  -  Stategic Plan states,   Develop Sustainable Breeding Program for the Irish Draught Horse in Association with Irish Draught Horse Breeders.

HSI Strategy Plan 2009-2012 NEW!

 

 

                NEW!

Foals Registered in 2007,  formerly published by Irish Horse Board. This is an annual publication which lists progeny of Stallions who are registered in the Irish Horse Register. 

 

Horse Sport Ireland (New umbrella organization 2008)NEW!

As of January 2008,  both the former FEI (old umbrella group 2000-2007)  and the IHB are now under the new umbrella organization. The IHB website link can be found under the heaing, Breeding.  The old FEI website information can be found under the HSI new heading, Competitors' Services.

This is a new section added 15 Nov 2007 to the Irish Draught Horse Resouce Guide, which is expected to start in January 2008.

Horse Sport Ireland more details about the new agency from their website:

"John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, following consultation with his colleague Mary Coughlan, T.D., Minister for Agriculture and Food, has implemented the establishment of a new Agency - Horse Sport Ireland - which will be responsible for devising and implementing strategies for the development and promotion of an internationally competitive Irish sport horse industry (breeding, sport and leisure sides). He has designated Joe Walsh, T.D., as the Chairman of the new Agency.

Horse Sport Ireland has been established following the acceptance by both Ministers of proposals contained in a report prepared by Mr. Michael Dowling, former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture and Food, which recommended new governance structures for horse sport in Ireland. Mr. Dowling consulted extensively with the main sectoral interests, including the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, the Irish Horse Board, the Irish Sports Council and the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Agriculture and Food in the course of his work and there is widespread support across the sector for these structures.

€1.75m has been allocated to Horse Sport Ireland to ensure that it can embark on its ambitious development programme. Damian McDonald has been appointed as the Chief Executive of this new, important body."

Appointments

HORSE SPORT IRELAND
PRESS RELEASE
Immediate Publication
18/09/07

HORSE SPORT IRELAND APPOINTS FOUR NEW MANAGERS

Horse Sport Ireland, the agency responsible for the development of the Horse Sport Sector in Ireland, has today announced the appointment of four new Managers.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Damian McDonald, is from a farming background in Crossabeg, Co Wexford, and holds an MA in Economics from UCD, as well as having considerable experience of voluntary and sporting organisations, and is former MACRA na Feirme chief executive for a number of years.

FINANCE MANAGER

Mark Bolger of Celbridge, Co. Kildare joins Horse Sport Ireland as Finance Manager from November 1st 2007. Mark comes to us from Horse Racing Ireland where he is currently the Financial Controller of the Property and Commercial Division. Prior to this he was Financial Controller at Fairyhouse Racecourse. Mark is a Chartered Accountant by profession and holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from UCD. He has a keen interest in equestrian sport, and competes regularly on the amateur show jumping circuit. He will be responsible for all aspects of financial control at Horse Sport Ireland, and he will also act as Company Secretary.

EQUESTRIAN SPORT AND ACTIVITIES MANAGER

Niamh O'Sullivan from Donadea, Co. Kildare joins Horse Sport Ireland as Equestrian Sport and Activities Manager from November 1st 2007. Niamh has been General Manager of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) for the past five years and was previously Equestrian Specialist Advisor with Teagasc. She has a Degree in Agriculture from Writtle College in Essex and a Postgraduate Diploma in Equine Studies from UCD. She also completed the Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding and Management Course, receiving the gold medal for first place on the course. Niamh will have responsibility for High Performance programmes and international participation as well as disciplinary matters and will oversee equestrian activities.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION MANAGER

Dublin-born Alison Corbally joins Horse Sport Ireland as Training and Education Manager from November 1st 2007. Alison joins from the Equestrian Federation of Ireland, where she has been Coaching Development Manager for the past six years. She holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from Trinity College and a Master of Equine Studies Degree from UCD. Alison will have responsibility for equestrian training programmes and breeder education programmes within Horse Sport Ireland and will work closely with affiliated organisations to ensure greater co-ordination between the programmes run by the various affiliates.

BREEDING MANAGER

Nick Finnerty, who hails from Galway, will join Horse Sport Ireland as Breeding Manager from January 1st 2008. Prior to this he will be part of the Horse Sport Ireland management team preparing for the integration of the Irish Horse Board staff into Horse Sport Ireland, which will take place on January 1st, 2008. Nick has been Director General of the Irish Horse Board since 2004. He previously worked with the Department of Agriculture in various positions dealing with the livestock sector. Nick holds a Masters Degree in Agriculture from UCD and has considerable experience in the area of animal breeding.

Horse Sport Ireland's Management team will be completed by the appointment of a Marketing and Communications Manager. The recruitment process to fill this position will commence shortly.

Horse Sport Ireland Chief Executive Damian McDonald said he was extremely pleased to welcome the four new members to the management team at Horse Sport Ireland.

"We are very fortunate to secure the services of four very talented people who will bring an ideal mix of experience and freshness to the management team," he remarked today.

Chairman Joe Walsh expressed delight at the way the new organisation was coming together.

"The filling of these key positions is a crucial step in the preparation for Horse Sport Ireland becoming fully operational on January 1st 2008, when we will take over as the Governing Body for Equestrian Sport from the EFI (Equestrian Federation of Ireland) and when the staff of the Irish Horse Board will transfer to Horse Sport Ireland," he said.

 

 

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