WHAT does success look like for TIHA Development Officer Mary Molloy and the TIHA?

“In recent days I have been asked by a number of people what the TIHA hope this study will achieve for Traditional Irish Horses. The answer to that question is multifaceted,” said Mary who outlined:-

  • We want to highlight the value and contribution of Traditional Irish Horses in recent years at the highest performance level in both show jumping and eventing.
  • We want to highlight their longevity and the importance of the genetic diversity they provide to the overall Irish Sport Horse population.
  • We want to positively influence the narrative that exists within the industry regarding the value and contribution of Traditional Irish Horses, opening up mindsets and expanding the thinking of all stake-holders.
  • Videos featuring some high-profile industry individuals will be launched to the public in coming weeks and these videos will support this process and demonstrate that many very successful and credible industry figures believe in the high value of Traditional Irish Horses and the importance of their preservation within the overall Irish Sport Horse population.
  • We want to encourage breeders making their 2021 breeding choices to think TIH and breed TIH.
  • We would like breeders to focus their efforts to ensure they breed a minimum two full TIH legacy fillies before their foundation TIH mare finishes her breeding career. This will ensure the pure TIH lineage continues into the future.
  • Many foreign clients come to Ireland to seek out those highly valued Traditional Irish bloodlines which give us our unique selling point. The continued dilution of these bloodlines is not in the best interest of the overall Irish Sport Horse population and industry.
  • We would like this study to spark continued meaningful engagement with HSI regarding the preservation and development of the TIH herd. We would like to work with them in a collaborative manner which is consultative, engaging and effective. One which delivers tangible results for breeders and producers fuelling success for the Irish Sport Horse breed code and industry as a whole.
  • We would like to influence and support the improvement of the management information systems which exists around the TIH herd.
  • We would like to identify top performing families, families of rare genetic value and those of older successful bloodlines. Once identified, we would like to encourage the retention of full TIH legacy fillies, ideally developing specific initiatives which will see the implementation of targeted conservation projects designed to support this aim.
  • We would like to develop initiatives which will increase the value of fillies and encourage their production. As an organisation we will develop competition-based initiatives to assist with this objective.
  • We would like to lead discussion away from the age-old negative debate between those passionate about Traditional Irish Horses and those who see value in the introduction of foreign blood to the overall Irish Sport Horse population. That kind of negative debate is not productive for anyone and it’s unhealthy for the Irish Sport Horse industry as a whole.

    • General observations and conclusions of the study

  • Traditional Irish Horses have contributed hugely to the success of the Irish Sport Horse Breed Code within the WBFSH rankings throughout the period 2004 to 2020.
  • Traditional Irish Horses have played an equally significant part in the success of our show jumping ranking as they have in the eventing rankings.
  • Our leading Irish Sport Horses in both show jumping and eventing in terms of both highest individual ranking position and longevity have all been Traditional Irish Horses.
  • This contribution is still very evident through strong presence in dam-lines of top horses in recent years.
  • The perseverance and penetration of Traditional Irish Horses and their bloodlines at this top level of International competition is significant in the context of their declining numbers.
  • Concerning levels of unrecorded pedigree information exist on the Irish Horse Register Online facility

    • Membership and sponsorship opportunities

    In order for the TIHA to deliver on their objectives, they need your support and ask that you log on to their website www.traditionalirishhorse.com where you will be able to become a member of the organisation for €25.00.

    You will find the ‘Become a Member’ link by following the NEWS Tab and going into The TIHA 2021 subsection. The TIHA are also very happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities with individuals and commercial bodies. If you would like to discuss this further please feel free to contact Mary Molloy, TIHA Development Officer by emailing mdm.truehillfarm@outlook.com

    What’s next for the TIHA?

    WBFSH Rankings Study Webinar

    A webinar discussing the full study will take place on Thursday, March 11th. A panel of leading industry experts will discuss the study and the value of Traditional Irish Horses together with their placement in the Irish Sport Horse industry.

    The TIHA 2021-2025 Breeding Plan

    In the coming weeks, we will launch the first stage of our 2021-2025 Breeding Plan, through the continuation of the TIHA ‘High Performance Broodmare Scheme’.

    Please keep your eye on the TIHA website and Facebook page for more details.

    Flexible proved a great flag-bearer for TIH bloodlines

    Taking it to the top