Photo credit: Joan C.Griffith
To contact us:
Before the Internet, pedigree information, and general information about the Irish Draught was hard if not impossible to find, outside of Ireland. With the advent of websites and databases, it is now relatively easy to learn about pedigrees and the breed itself. The Irish Draught has had a revival abroad and societies can be found in many countries outside of Ireland, including Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., and Canada. Many breeders of Irish Draughts, Irish Sport Horses, and/or Irish Draught Sport Horses as they are referred to in a number of countries, have websites that advertise their stallions, breeding mares, and offspring for sale. There are two group list serves open for anyone to sign onto and communicate with enthusiasts around the world. There have on occasion been show videos made and some of them are still available, generally these are hard to find items.
There are several websites that are official society sites in various countries. These are all affiliated groups to the parent Irish Draught Horse Society based in Ireland. In general, society websites have sections on news, membership information, contact information, horses for sale, dairy dates, breed information, show results, photo gallery, related links, etc. There are also many websites of breeders and owners, these are not included in the resource guide, but can be found from links on the society pages or by doing an Internet search.
Organisation Websites
Irish Draught Horse Breeders Association 
Home page, June 2009 - http://idhba.ie
Irish Draught Horse Society, Ireland (Co-op)
Home Page.. December 2008-- . http://www.irishdraught.ie
The Irish Draught Horse Society (G.B.) Great Britain
Home Page http://www.irishdraughthorsesociety.com/
Irish Draught and Sport Horse Society of Australia Inc.
Home Page http://www.idshs.com.au/
New Zealand Irish Horse Society
Home Page. http://www.irishhorse.org.nz/
Irish Draught Horse Society of North America
Home Page. http://www.irishdraught.com/
The Irish Draught Horse Society of Canada
Home Page. http://www.idhs.ca/
Horse Sport Ireland
New Umbrella Organization starting January 2008
Home Page.http://www.horsesportireland.ie/index.html
The Irish Horse Board
New IHB URL starting 2008,
and is also found under heading, Breeding on the HSI website above.
http://www.irishsporthorse.com/
Northern Ireland Horse Board and IDHS (NI)
Home Page http://www.nihorseboard.org/
Royal Dublin Society
Home Page. http://www.rds.ie/
which hosts the RDS Horse Show in August every year!
The Traditional Irish Horse Breeding Society of Ireland
(formerly the Hunter Improvement Society)
Home page, 2008 - http://www.nonthoroughbredbreeding.com
Wardrope, Judy, RDS Irish Draught horse conformation seminar, at RDS Horse Show, 6 August 2009.
The RDS hosted a special seminar on equine conformation tailored for the Irish Draught Horse during the RDS Horse Show, 6 August 2009 held in the RDS Merrion Room. More information about Judy Wardrope and her equine conformation expertise can be found on her website, JW Equine |
The Irish Draught Horse Conservancy
homepage: http://www.irishdraughthorseconservancy.org/
...from a posting on the Yahoo Irish Draught listserv, by Liz Freeman, founding member, IDHC. (23 Aug 2007)
IrishDraught List Digest Number 3895
"The Irish Draught Horse Conservancy is a non-profit organization funded by private donations and run by unpaid volunteers. Our
international group is comprised of breeders, veterinarians, and scientists who are dedicated to the conservation, preservation, and
protection of the Irish Draught Horse breed.
The Conservancy' s main aims are to facilitate communication between Irish Draught Horse breeders and enthusiasts world wide, to educate the public about this endangered breed of horse and its contributions to domestic animal diversity and Irish cultural heritage, and to provide administrative and financial support for education and conservation projects which may further the goals of the Conservancy globally.
To serve the first two aims of the Conservancy, we are hosting the Irish Horse Breeder's Roundtable, which will incorporate a panel
discussion on the future of the Irish Draught breed. We hope the Roundtable will become a yearly event serving to improve camaraderie and communication between Irish Draught and Irish Draught Sport Horse breeders globally, and to address significant issues facing the breed, and their possible solutions..."
First IDHC - Irish Horse Breeder's Roundtable Presentation: Elaine Breen 2007
PDF presentation available from IDHC website for downloading
Breen, Elaine, The Development of a Sustainable Breeding Programme for the Irish Draught Horse, September 2007, presentation giving at the Irish Draught Horse Conservancy, First Annual, Breeder's Roundtable, Chicago, USA, This report/research is supported in part by the Royal Dublin Society, The University of Limerick and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.
Breen presents background information gathered in conjuction with the RDS and ICBF which was prepared by Francis Kerney of the same title, which centers on the current status of the herd population in terms of endangered breed classification by the FAO, inbreeding and relatedness of RID and S1 ID stallions. Also included is information on the large influence of King of Diamonds, Pride of Shaunlara, and Clover Hill. Only 6 stallions were found to be complete outcrosses from KOD, POS, and CH: in Ireland - Bridgeford Stockbroker; Come T; Coolehane Flight (deceased); Gortlea Ruler; and in GB - Grove Warrior; and Amber Glen. Conservation Startegy information is also presented. Breen continues with information of her own student project at the University of Limerick concerning Conformation of Irish Draught Horse, in which she compares subjective and linear scoring approaches and also tries to evlaute how the conformation of the Irish Draught has changed over the past forty years. Includes photographs and charts.
Trojan Heavy Horse, blogspot
Twenty five years professional experience working and training heavy draught horses in all road, field and forest operations, Tom Nixon...................087 694 05 38
http://trojanheavyhorses.blogspot.com/
Irish Draughts International
an international community for Irish Draught and ISH enthusiasts.
This is a really FUN site, created by Liz Freeman, an online Irish Draught communinity where members can add photos, videos, blogs, etc. as well as create their own web presence. With over 100 members to date (Feb 2009) and literally 100s of photographs, it now has members from Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada, France, and the USA. A NING social community site where you can create your own community. First of its kind for the Irish Draught!.
Archival websites, the following two organizations have now merged into the new Umbrella Organization, Horse Sport Ireland, starting 2008. IHB website still online but with new style design and can be found under heading, Breeding. FEI website is now offline and its information can be found under the heading, Competitors' Services.
Equestrian Federation of Ireland (2000-2007) Irish Horse Board, old style web design until end of 2007
Homepage: http://www.horsesport.ie/homel.html Home Page. http://www.irishhorseboard.com/
Old umbrella organization.
This website is now offline. This website URL redirects to the new IHB
website,http://www.irishsporthorse.com/
Another website with a face make-over.....
IDHS Ireland had this design from 2000-2007., see new design above.
Databases
Irish Horse Board Stallions Online database
http://www.irishhorseboard.com/stallions/default.asp
then entry:
http://www.irishhorseboard.com/Stalbook/St_fr_Hd.htm
(updated March 2006) this is part of the Irish Horse Board website:
http://www.irishhorseboard.com/
In the top left hand box click on the Breed for either Current Stallions or Dead Exported or Excluded Stallions. A list of Stallions will appear in the bottom left hand box Click on the name you wish to view. The entry will be shown in the main window displaying the horse pedigree, owner, statistical and progeny information. IHR and RID numbers for registered stallions. Printable pedigrees. Site maintained by the IHB Ireland.
Del Mar ALL-Breeds Database
http://www.pedigreequery.com/allbreed/
All-Breed Pedigree Database
Although much of this site remains a free service, certain features of this site have changed to a subscription-based service. A subscription for unlimited access is $20 USD for four months or $50 USD per year (credit card payment or check payment). If you initially signed up for our free trial period prior to March 1, 2004 you can renew your trial subscription to continue accessing the site (you don't need to re-register). All other users will have to create a new account to access this site in its entirety.
For those who choose not to subscribe, the database will still offer free pedigrees, progeny reports, and the ability to add/edit horses in the database. Subscriber benefits will include access to hypothetical mating reports, line breeding reports and more. We also plan to improve the features offered to subscribers over time. See the table below for more information.
Irish Draught and Irish
Sport Horse Pedigree Search
http://www.idshs.com.au/perl/search.pl (URL updated June 2009)
An Internet service provided by
The Irish Draught and Sport Horse Society of Australia (contributed
by Xandria Hughes, IDSHS Australia)
Worldwide
Irish Draught outcross bloodlines from the online studbook
RID and S1 stallion pedigrees with no Pride of Shaunlara, King of Diamonds or Clover Hill blood
from the IDISH Pedigree Search Online Database. (contributed by Xandria Hughes, IDSHS Australia) See related information in the RDS Irish Draught Horse Study
-RID stallions worldwide.
-Total outcross stallion identified by the RDS breed preservation report identified with **NAME**
-Some deceased stallions have been included as they have frozen semen still available.
There are at present eleven Yahoo groups on the Internet for Irish Draught related information. Some of them have very few members. The top three are listed below, these have active participation. (As of 22 January 2004).
Irish Draught
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IrishDraught/
A mailing list for owners, breeders, and fans of the Irish Draught horse and Irish Draught crossbreds. Join us and discuss breeding, training, competing, and life with these beautiful horses! If you are looking for an athletic, sane, beautiful Sport Horse to take you into foxhunting, dressage, showjumping, eventing, or just out for a wonderful ride, look no further! Members of our list compete or participate in Three Day Eventing, dressage, hunter/jumpers, foxhunting, pleasure riding and of course breeding sport horses. All are welcome, and we hope you'll join us for friendly, lively discussion of our favorite topic! This group is generally used by people in North America, Ireland, and Australia. This site is the most active in terms of numbers of messages exchanged by its members as well as photo postings to their archive files.
Members: 446
Founded: April 5, 1999
Language: English
Group Setting: Open, unmoderated, etc.
IrishDraugthHorse
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IrishDraughthorse/
Dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the famous Irish Draught Horse.
When the Irish Draught horse is crossed with a Thoroughbred the result is the Irish Hunter today called the Irish Sport Horse. Famous for it accomplishments in the international jumping, dressage and three day events the horse has just recently received its due recognition in the US. This community is dedicated to positive insight on how to promote and enjoy this wonderful horse. This site is run by Jim Leary, owner of O’Leary’s Irish Diamond RID stallion, its primary purpose seems to be to promote his stallion
Members: 90
Founded: April 14, 1999
Language: English
Group Settings: Restricted membership, unmoderated, etc
IDHS (North America)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IDHS/
This mailing list is exclusively for the members of the Irish Draught Horse Society of North America. It is a discussion forum for topics of interest to the members of this group. Only members in good standing of the IDHS (NA) may participate on this list. This organization also has regional list servs in some parts of North America.
Members: 144
Founded: 13 August 1999
Language: English
Group Settings: Restricted membership, unmoderated, etc.
Old Ireland
In a nostalgic trip down more than 60 years of memory lane, Old Ireland illuminates the customs and practices in traditional farming life of the 1940s and 1950s.
It documents in evocative detail the transition from loyal horse to modern tractor, a development that would change the landscape of farming forever. Harking back to the day when the meitheal was the greatest of all blessings, it recalls an era when neighbours gathered together to cut the turf and save the hay. This was a time when the completion of the biggest farming tasks called for the liveliest celebrations of the year.
Visit their website to purchase, http://www.oldireland.ie/
Ballad of the Irish Horse, Video 1985, National Geographic Society, running time approximately 60 minutes, first seen on USA television 1985. This video is included for its brief mention of the Irish Draught as foundation bred for the Irish hunter and for its lack of mention of the Draught in any other terms in the world of the Irish horse. The draughts shown are of the heavy sort pulling a plough. In scope the video follows Connemara pony breeder, John Daly, The Galway Blazers, a visit to the National Stud, and a profile of Eddie Macken and his famous ride, Boomerang, and the Royal Dublin Society. Narrator: Richard Kiley, written and produced by Miriam Birch. USA VHS version available from National Geographic, UK & Ireland PAL version available from Stylus Video.(rare)
USA VHS UK & Ireland PAL
National Irish Draught Show video, Video 1, 1985-, there have from time to time been videos produced at the National Show, however, the only one the author has seen to date is of the first show. It is not clear from what source show videos are available. If used in conjunction with the First Show -printed program - one can get a scene of the entire event. Amazing to see in real life Pride of Shaunlara, a young Blue Rajah, a 3 year old Sea Crest, and other famous names in the Irish Draught Horse world.
IDHS First show video 1985
Duration:
Narrator: Michael Slavin
Place: Suma Stud, Navan, Co. Meath
Date: 1985
A number of other videos seem to have been produced or sponsored by the Irish Draught Horse Society such as the Lambertstown Show 1986 , Kerry Gold Show 1985, National Draught Horse Shows, IDHS Dinner Dance, other special events. These video are difficult to find and are primarily in private collections. It might be of interest for the Society to find, collect, copy and archive these materials.
Ride On Video (December 2003)for more information: Email: rideonvideo@hotmail.com
During the European Eventing Championships held at Punchestown in September 2003 a unique celebration and presentation of the Irish Horse took place and is now available on video. Over 130 horses take part in a spectacular show combining live action, film, music, and drama. Ride On reflects the spirit and special nature of Irish horses from donkeys, connemara, TB, and ISH to Irish draught horses. Representing some of the best Irish Draughts were champion mares Millhollow Queen and foal, Ardattin Mandy and foal, Rosetown Annie and foal, the Garda geldings, a 24-year old Sea Crest, Grange Bouncer, Beezies Sue, and international ISH stars, Cruising and Flo Jo, as well and many other world famous Irish horses.
Most of the photographic images for The Irish Draught Horse: A History were found in these collections. The search for images of Irish Draught horses was a time intensive search as these collections are arranged in some cases by place name or activity. Many of the photographs happens to include the Irish Draught horse as part of picture and in only a very few cases was the Irish draught horse the subject of the composition.
National Library of Ireland, National Photographic Archive http://www.nli.ie/new_coll.htm
Tourist Board (Bord Failte) http://www.ireland.ie/home/
Country Life Museum, Co. Mayo http://www.museum.ie/countrylife/
National Gallery of Ireland http://www.nationalgallery.ie/
Irish Picture Library http://www.fatherbrowne.com/ipl/
Royal Dublin Society Library, Maymes Ansell Archive of RDS Dublin Horse Show images http://www.rds.ie/home/index.aspx?id=1948
...from their website...
The Maymes Ansell Archive is a collection of images and ephemera relating to the RDS Dublin Horse Shows between the years 1967 and 2000. The images were taken by a professional photographer, Mrs Maymes Ansell and were donated to the RDS Library because of the connection with the RDS.
There are approximately 20,000 negatives, 600 contact sheets and 900 prints (mostly black and white).
Funding from the Heritage Council has enabled the RDS Library to undertake a cataloguing project to make this archive more accessible. Scheduled to be completed in November 2007, each image will be catalogued to include the name of the horse, rider, owner and competition. The images will not be digitised but copies can be made available to researchers. The catalogue of images will be searchable when the our library catalogue goes online shortly.
Irish Draught
Horse Merchandise
Irish
Draught Horse Stuff Etc.
Purchase apparel and merchandise
www.cafepress.com/irishdraughtetc
For all your Irish Draught and Sport Horse merchandise, site includes T-shirts,
caps, totes, sweatshirts, teddybears, and much more...
