Studbook News

Irish Sport Horse Breeders Awards 2008 Presented At Breeders' AGM

[ Friday, 12th December 2008 ]

Irish Sport Horse Breeders Awards 2008 Presented At Breeders' AGM

The 2008 Irish Sport Horse Breeders Awards took place last night (December 10th) in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Co. Laois in conjunction with the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Horse Board Co-operative Society Limited.

Speaking at the awards, the Chairman of the Irish Horse Board Co-Op Joe Walsh said that 2008 had been a good year for Irish breeding. Once again the Irish Sport Horse Studbook was the leading studbook in the world for breeding horses for eventing.

“These awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Sport Horse breeders who strive and achieve excellence on a regular basis. The Sport Horse sector is worth over 400 million euro to the Irish economy and breeding is the cornerstone of our industry,” he said.

Mr Walsh thanked the Breeders Awards Committee of Col. Ned Campion, Mr. Michael Slavin, Mr. Michael Hughes and Mr. Charlie Ripman for selecting the recipients.

There were twelve awards presented on the night. Full details of award recipients are outlined below.

At the Annual General Meeting a number of changes to the rules of the Irish Horse Board Co-operative Society were made to reflect issues that had arisen in the rules following the special General Meeting earlier in the year where responsibility for running the Irish Sport Horse Studbook was transferred to the new Governing Body for the sector, Horse Sport Ireland.

Mr. Walsh said that there were real challenges ahead for breeding. He pointed out that other studbooks in Europe were gaining ground in the eventing sphere while we had fallen behind as a breeder of top class show jumpers.

“The new Horse Sport Ireland strategic plan sets out a pathway for new breeding polices and there is a huge amount of work to be done on the detailed aspects of the policy. We will be holding a series of regional meetings with breeders next spring to present the detailed plans and seek views from all breeders on the best way forward,” he said.

Mr Walsh concluded by thanking the members of the board of the Irish Horse Board Co-Op, who now make up the breeding sub board of Horse Sport Ireland, for their hard work during 2008.

“This year has seen huge changes with the transfer of responsibility for the studbook to Horse Sport Ireland and the preparation of a new strategic plan for the sector. A lot of work has been done and the breeding sub board deserves huge credit,” he added.

Recipients of ISH Breeders Awards 2008:

BREEDER OF THE TOP INTERNATIONAL EVENT HORSE:

Mr. Pat Keogh, Myshall, Co. Carlow, breeder of Ballinacoola (ISH)

Ballinacoola (ISH) – 1994 gelding by Highland King (ISH), out of Dawn Girl (ISH), by Kildalton Gold (RID)

Ballincoola is ranked 11th in the WBFSH Eventing Studbook rankings.
Ballincoola’s commendable results include Burghley CCI**** in 2005 and has been placed twice in the top six in 2006 and 2007.
He was placed 2nd at Burghley CCI4*, 3rd at Badminton CCI4* and 4th at Barbury Castle CIC3* in 2008. He was third at the Express Eventing International Cup in Cardiff, which took place two weeks ago.

BREEDER OF THE TOP INTERNATIONAL SHOW JUMPING HORSE:

Edward and Catherine Doyle, Naas Co. Kildare, Breeder of Flexible (ISH)

Flexible (ISH) ~ 1996 stallion, by Cruising (ISH), out of Flex (ISH), by Safari (TB)

Flexible is a 12 year old stallion by Cruising (ISH) out of Flex (ISH), by Safari (TB). Flexible's results include winning three out of the four FEI World Cup qualifying classes which culminated at the FEI World Cup Final in Goteborg Sweden, where he finished 2nd with American rider Rich Fellers. They were also part of the winning American team at the 5 star Nations' Cup at Spruce Meadows.

BREEDER OF THE 5 YEAR OLD IHB SHOW JUMPING LEAGUE WINNER:

Imelda Creighton, Kill, Naas, Co. Kildare, Breeder of Coppindell (ISH)

Coppindell (ISH) –2003 mare by VDL Arkansas (KWPN) out of Bansha Buttercup (ISH), by Renkum Englishman (KWPN)

Coppindell ridden by John Floody clocked up 50 points in order to secure the series title. The pair also represented the Irish sport horse studbook at the WBFSH World Showjumping Championships for young horses at Lanaken in Belgium, where they were winners in the consolation class.

BREEDER OF THE 6/7 YEAR OLD IHB SHOW JUMPING LEAGUE WINNER:

Ms. Judith Sossick, Randlastown, Co. Antrim, Breeder of Loughview Lou-Lou (ISH)

Loughview Lou-Lou (ISH) ~ 2002 mare by Limmerick (HOLST) out of Loughview Diamond Lucy (ISH), by Jack Of Diamonds (RID)

Loughview Lou-Lou (ISH) won with 44 League points ridden by Conor Drain. She represented the Irish sport horse studbook at the WBFSH World Championships for young horses at Lanaken in Belgium where she reached the final of the 6 year old section.

BREEDER OF THE 4 YEAR OLD FEHL LEAGUE WINNER:

Ms. Marie O’Brien, Co. Cork, Breeder of OBOS Kristoff (ISH)

OBOS Kristoff (ISH) –2004 bay gelding by O.B.O.S. Quality 004 (OLD) out of Kilcassey Lady (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID)

This 4 year old is ridden by Mary Kehoe, and won the FEHL league 2008 with a total of 29 points.

BREEDER OF THE 5 YEAR OLD FEHL WINNER:

Ms. Lucinda Hanaghan, Newport, Co. Mayo, Breeder of Ricanga (ISH)

Ricanga (ISH) – 2003 mare by Ricardo Z (ZANG) out of Motif (SHB), by Supreme Chance (TB)

This 5 year old won the FEHL League 2008 with a total of 21 points.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AT THE WBFSH YOUNG HORSE COMPETITION, LANAKEN 2008:

Mrs. Denise Gleeson McDoangh, Tuam, Co. Galway, breeder of Roundthorm Madios (ISH)

Roundthorn Madios (ISH) ~ 2002 gelding by Condios (HOLST) out of Clover Heidi (ISH), by Clover Hill (RID)

Roundthorn Madios and rider Catherine Thornton were placed 14th in the 6 year old final at the WBFSH Young Horse Competition at Lanaken 2008.

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AT THE WBFSH YOUNG HORSE COMPETITION, LE LION D'ANGERS 2008:

Mr. Donal Barnwell, West Sussex, England, breeder of Billy Landretti (ISH)

Billy Landretti (ISH) –2002 gelding by Vechta (KWPN) out of Lemmon (ISH), by Andretti (TB)

Billy Landretti (ISH) finished in 2nd place in the 6 year old section at Le Lion d’Angers ridden by Pippa Funnell.
Billy Landretti has shown real potential since winning the PAVO 4 year old finals and coming 2nd in the 4 year old Winergy Burghley Young Event horse final in 2006. The dam Lemmon has also produced Billy Black Jack who is an up and coming event horse, also ridden by British event rider Pippa Funnell.

BREEDER OF TOP SHOWING MARE:

Mr. Derry Rothwell, Tinaheley, Co. Wicklow, breeder of Greenhall Dismissed (ISH)

Greenhall Dismissed (ISH) – 2003 mare by Porsch (BWP) out of Greenhall Flowing River (ISH), by Weavers Web (TB)

Greenhall Dismissed was placed 2nd at the Horse Sport Ireland Breeders Championship in the RDS for 2008. The mare’s colt foal by Lakeshore Road (TB) was awarded top prize in the same class for foals by a thoroughbred sire.
The Dam Greenhall Flowing River has an outstanding record, and was crowned All Ireland Champion foal, yearling, 2 year old and 3 year old. She is the only horse to win four All Irelands consecutively. She also was Champion filly and Supreme champion at the RDS as a foal, yearling and two year old, and champion filly as a 3 year old.

YOUNG BREEDERS - SENIOR SECTION:

Ms. Regina Daniels, Co. Galway

Regina Daniels won the Senior Section at the Young Breeders competition held at Gurteen Agricultural College on Tuesday 29th July.
Regina has being involved with horses a long time and she and her father run Callatre Stables in Loughrea.

YOUNG BREEDERS - JUNIOR SECTION:

Mr. Tony O’Doherty, Co. Limerick

Tony O’Doherty won the Junior Section at the Young Breeders competition held at Gurteen Agricultural College on Tuesday 29th July.
Tony and his family have always had an interest and involvement with horses. Tony’s uncle runs Woodview Riding Centre in Newcastle where Tony has gained much of his knowledge and experience. Also he attributes his knowledge to working in the show jumping yard of PJ O’Sullivan.

CONTRIBUTION AWARD 2008:

Mr. Liam & Sean Kenneally

Liam and Sean Keanneally are nominated for their outstanding contribution to the Irish Sport Horse Industry. Both are from Templemore, Co. Tipperary. The brothers have being breeding for many years, since they had to take over the running of the family farm from a young age. Both Sean and Liam have stood stallions, and continue to do so today.Sean is the owner of the stallions Rich Rebel, Diamond Mine, Clover Fields and Ballyheen, who is a son of Cloverfields.

Rich Rebel is a 1983 approved thoroughbred stallion on the Irish Horse register. This stallion has sired many event horses, most notably Tubber Rebel (ISH) 2000 gelding by Rich Rebel (TB) out of Killea Lady (ISH) by Carrabawn View (RID). Liam bred this eventer who competed as part of the Swedish team, with rider Dag Albert at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong. Others include King Richard, who was 3rd at Blair Castle CCI one star with British event rider Mary King and Westwinds El Divo who was winner of the FEHL league in 2006 and 2nd in the 5 year old league in 2007. Rich Rebel also sired show jumpers. These include Ballypatrick Rebel who was ridden by Irish show jumper Shane Breen and Rebels Fire.

It is the traditional way of breeding that has proved to be very successful for Liam and Sean. They consider the pedigree of the dam and breeding lines that they use include Clover Hill, Carrabawn View and Welcome Diamond. Clover Fields who sadly passed away was a 1989 ISH by Clover Hill (RID) out of Ballinvena Rose (ISH). He is the sire of That's Life (ISH), top international show jumper ridden by Frenchman Michel Hecart. Some of his achievements include the hat trick of wins at the CSI4 star in La Coruna in July and the winner of the 1m50 class at the CSI3 star in Dinard in August of this year. Liam has three Connemara stallions Rathmorragha Lark, Tynagh Miller and Seafield Silver Dun, which he breeds with his four Connemara broodmares. He also has the Irish Draught Stallion Killea Hill View who is on the Irish Horse register in recent years. Killea Hill View is a 2001 by Carrabawn View (RID) out of Farrah (RID) by Legaun Prince. He was champion 3 year old in 2004 at Thurles Show. Although Killea Hill View is relatively new stallion on the register, he is proving to be very popular and has bred up to 77 foals already.

Horse Sport Ireland was delighted to present Liam and Sean Kenneally with this Contribution Award 2008.