Retirement of Carling King (ISH)

At an emotional ceremony during the interval in the Nations Cup in Wellington, Florida on Friday night last, a packed arena bade farewell to Carling King who has been a wonderful ambassador for Irish showjumping and the Irish Sport Horse Studbook.

To mark his retirement, IHB Director General Nick Finnerty was on hand to make a presentation to ‘King’s’ owner Saly Glassman and rider Kevin Babbington on behalf of the Studbook.

Carling King is a 16 year old chestnut gelding, by the great Irish Draught sire of showjumpers, Clover Hill, out of Irish Sport Horse mare Gortnageer Star, by the Thoroughbred sire Chairlift. He was bred in Glenamaddy in Co. Galway by the late Dr. Pat Geraghty.

Prior to his arrival in America, Carling King won the 5-year National Championship at the Royal Dublin Horse Show in 1996. In his honour, this championship has since been named as the “Carling King Five Year Old National Championship”.

Carling King was subsequently bought from Ireland as a 7-year old for current owner Saly Glassman. When Kevin took over the ride the partnership blossomed. Throughout an illustrious career ‘King’ as he is affectionately known, has successfully performed at the very pinnacle of his sport.

Some of the highlights of his memorable career with Kevin include:

• Being a member of 11 Nations Cup winning teams for Ireland, including one in Wellington the scene of his farewell appearance on a big stage;
• European Team Championship Gold medal for Ireland in 2001;
• Individual 4th at the 2004 Athens Olympics;
• Individual 8th at the World Equestrian Games in Jerez in 2002;
• Winner of the King George V Cup in Hickstead in 2003;
• US Open Championship and PDP Capital Grand Prix in Wellington in 2004, and 2nd in the $150,000 AGA Championship in 2003;
• Numerous Grand Prix wins which include La Baule and Hickstead, the latter of which Kevin cherishes as one of his most memorable achievements.

Carling King has been a wonderful envoy for Ireland and the Irish horse. His retirement will be spent in Kevin’s backyard in Pennsylvania. We all wish him and his connections well.