HARTWELL Stud has been involved in the equine industry for over 50 years. Based in Co Kildare, the stud was established by David and Mary McCann, who, in the 1970s, began breeding and producing Connemara ponies and Irish Draughts crossed with the thoroughbred.

We have always been strong believers in the Traditional Irish Horse [TIH] and have always strived to produce horses to the highest levels and in breeding some of the best traditional Irish sport horses in the world.

Hartwell Stud has bred horses to the highest levels, such as Cruising (CSI5*, World, European championships), Sails Away (CSI5*, World, European championships), Ladakha (CCI5* World Equestrian Games, European championships), Hoochi Koochi (CCI5*, Atlanta Olympics), Teulada (CSI5*, Nations Cup), Free Trader (CSI5*, European championships), Mr Cruise Control (CCI5*, sixth in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings) and many more.

Hartwell Stud has always been innovative in the breeding sector, being one of the first studs to use artificial insemination (A.I) in the 1980s and the first stud to become a collection and freezing centre in Ireland in the 1990s.

We continue to this day being an approved collection and freezing centre and standing stallions available through fresh and frozen semen, including Cruising Arish and Cruising Encore, the cloned stallions of Cruising.

We stand Jackaroo (Master Imp xx x Chair Lift xx) and supply frozen semen from Valent (Hors La Loi II x Lux Z), Clover Brigade (Clover Hill x Light Brigade xx) and Touchdown (Galoubet A x Cheyne xx).

1. Proudest moment(s) as a breeder? The proudest moment, over a lifetime of breeding and producing at Hartwell Stud, is still Cruising’s win of the five-star Aachen Grand Prix in 1999. There are so many memorable moments but none can beat Aachen.

To breed and produce any horse to that level is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but even more momentous having a traditional Irish stallion winning against the likes of the great Heartbreaker and Ratina Z.

2. Sum up Cruising’s contribution to Irish sport horse breeding?

Cruising was, and still is, one of the most influential stallions in Ireland. He is still the only Irish stallion to have three Horse Sport Ireland five-star ranking for his own and his progeny’s show jumping and eventing performance.

Cruising was ranked in the top five in the WBFSH rankings in 1996/1997/1998 and in the top-10 for numerous years. He was ranked within the top-five WBFSH [eventing] sires for seven consecutive years. In 2017, he was still ranked number eight in the WBFSH sire rankings.

Cruising has provided an immense contribution to the Irish sport horse industry, aiding in maintaining the Irish Sport Horse studbook at the top of the WBFSH rankings for over 20 years. A proven sire of champions, including Flexible (CSI5*, 2012 World Cup champion), he is also proving to be a sire of broodmares.

Mary McCann of Hartwell Stud receives a special trophy from Matt Dempsey, then President of the RDS, in recognition of Cruising's achievements down through the years. Pictured holding Cruising is Mary's daughter Gina at the 2014 Dublin Horse Show

3. How has the Irish Sport Horse breeding scene changed since Hartwell Stud began?

Irish Sport Horse breeding has both gained and lost with the introduction of modern breeding techniques since Hartwell Stud began. The improvements to methods of sourcing information online, and the ability to trace animals around the world as they compete, is a huge boost to our broodmares.

New breeding techniques are providing unlimited possibilities for the Irish breeders, in many ways a positive influence, but, in many ways, a negative effect on the local breeder or farmer with one or two mares. It is important not to lose sight of who we are as Irish Sport Horse breeders and what we stand for. We must not lose our direction of what a true Irish Sport Horse is and was.

4. Favourite broodmare(s)?

There have been many exceptional broodmares at Hartwell Stud but, if I must pick one, it would be Artic Anna (Arctic Que xx x I’ll Be Lucky xx x Star Prince (RID)). She was a true foundation mare, breeding international 1.60m horses herself and her daughters here are continuing her legacy.

5. How many broodmares do you currently have?

We have approximately 14 mares, some traditional lines and some crosses, foaling each year.

  • Cruisann (Cruising - Artic Anna). Cruisann has several young horses now competing at 1.35m on the continent, and we are very excited to watch their progress. She is in foal to Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z again this year and we have retained her Tobago Z yearling filly.
  • Spinnaker (Clover Brigade x Good Thyne xx). A young TIH mare who is a sister to three and four-star international event horses. We have crossed her with the Cruising clones, keeping traditional and producing super event type youngstock for the future.
  • Cruisingmay Clover (Cruising x Clover Hill x King of Diamonds). Dam of Clovalent (by Valent,) now jumping 1.35m Grand Prix, Valmay Cruise (Valent) and Where’s Waldo (Valent) a very promising gelding, now with Peter Charles.
  • Cruising Galway Girl (Cruising x Broussard xx). Full-sister to Mr Cruise Control. We have two spectacular fillies by Valent and are considering using Murka’s Gem, the clone of Gem Twist, this year to bring thoroughbred and traditional lines together again.

    • 6. Cloning, embryo transfer, ICSI etc. – what are your thoughts on modern breeding techniques?

    As everyone knows, Hartwell Stud are often the first to embrace new technology in breeding techniques. In deciding to clone Cruising, we entered into quite an unknown method of breeding but we are delighted we did take that step and can see the benefits already.

    There is a place for all modern breeding techniques. However, the pros and cons must be weighed up well before proceeding with cloning, embryo transfer, ICSI or even sexed semen. They are all costly procedures, some with mixed levels of success, so there should be valid reasons to proceed. Embryo transfer has become more attainable to Irish breeders in recent years, but ICSI and cloning are really for those incredibly special horses.

    The possibilities are endless and bringing back these amazing bloodlines, through cloning or producing a stallion or broodmare through ICSI, could benefit the Irish herd in the future.

    They will not take over from more traditional forms of breeding but gives us, as breeders, more opportunities and possibilities into the future.

    Cruising Encore, ridden by Edward Doyle \ Laurence Dunne Jumpinaction.net

    7. Irish show jumping breeding is on the rise?

    We could have a long discussion on this subject but I feel the true Irish breeding is actually not doing as well as the rankings indicate. We are losing ground in the WBFSH eventing rankings for the first time in many years. We are losing the traditional lines and soon there will be nothing to differentiate us from mainland Europe. It is true we have results at the top levels but how many are full Irish or even half-Irish?

    I am not against foreign lines, we use them ourselves, but with care and consideration to the future by adding a cross of foreign now, to then come back to full Irish lines in three generations.

    It is a lifelong project, not something that will produce results in a year.

    Clients come to us for true Irish-bred young horses with high levels of traditional breeding.

    8. It takes a team – who’s on yours?

    Hartwell Stud is a family business, and everyone participates in one form or another to run the business.

    9. Best advice you got?

    Always breed your mare to the stallion that will improve her conformation and ability.

    10. What would your other career choices be?

    Mary would still be breeding horses, Gina wanted to be a zookeeper and Jenny would love to study marine biology… Who knows?