THE World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) rankings were released this week, coinciding with the federation’s annual meeting in Lisbon and overall it’s good news for Irish-breds, Irish Sport Horses and perhaps our greatest asset: Irish riders.

While the results didn’t quite match last year’s win for the Irish Sport Horse studbook in eventing or sixth place in the show jumping studbook section and Pacino Amiro’s fourth-place finish in the show jumping horse rankings, some excellent results were still recorded in this Olympic year.

The Kate Jarvey-bred Colorado Blue, flying the Sport Horse Breeding (GB) flag was second in the eventing horse rankings; two Irish Sport Horses – Cooley Rosalent and MHS Seventeen – were in the eventing top-10 horses and James Kann Cruz notched up his second appearance as best of the Irish Sport Horses in show jumping.

Banner County breeders had a strong showing, with Liam Nicholas, Noel Russell and Jenny Glynn producing three of this year’s top-six Irish Sport Horses: Express Trend, Rehy DJ and Capels Hollow Drift.

Plus, Shane Sweetnam had two horses in the top-10 and fellow Olympic teammate Daniel Coyle’s stellar year continued, as his brilliant Belgian-bred Legacy is the top-ranked show jumping horse. Legacy, the leading horse in the recent Longines League of Nations Cup series, joins JL Dublin and TSF Dalera BB as this year’s WBFSH leading horses.

See www.wbfsh.com for the complete rankings.

WHAT THEY SAID:

Daniel Coyle, rider of Legacy: “It’s been an amazing year, and I’m beyond proud of what Legacy has accomplished. She’s proven yet again what an extraordinary horse she is, claiming the top spot as the top-ranked show jumping horse in the WBFSH rankings.

“Her recent performances, including yet another double clear in a major championship, show just how brilliant and consistent she’s been. Legacy feels incredible and is at the top of her form right now.

“Among this year’s highlights are World Cup victories in Leipzig, and Amsterdam, alongside her leadership in the Nations Cup league and now this prestigious WBFSH title.

“I know her owner, Ariel Grange, is as proud as I am of these remarkable achievements, from her Olympic debut performance to all the success she’s had this season.

“We’ve been very strategic in planning her schedule to keep her feeling this strong. My mentor and friend, Jeroen Dubbledam, along with Ariel and I, meticulously plan every step to ensure we choose the right shows for her. It’s a very targeted approach, and it’s paying off.

“As I head into my ninth winter season working for Ariel and Lothlorien Farm, Legacy remains at the heart of everything. I’m honoured to be a part of her journey and excited for what’s to come next.”

Sonja Egan, HSI Head of Breeding, Innovation and Development: “There’s a lot of positives for us to take from the year and our second-place eventing ranking. In sport, we all strive for first place, but we were just pipped by worthy winners in an exceedingly tight 2024 battle!

“However, we’re the only eventing studbook to have our top-six ranked horses in the top-20. That, in itself, is an incredible feat and I’d like to congratulate our Irish Sport Horse breeders on such a fantastic achievement.

“In the show jumping rankings, we’ve solidified our place as a top-10 studbook with our eighth-place finish; three in the world’s top-25 and our top-six ISHs are in the WBFSH top-135.

“When you look at the amount of international competition, week in and week out, it’s a testament to their consistency that we can achieve results like this.

“These successes are for, and due to, the passion and dedication of Irish breeders, owners, and producers of these horses. My sincere congratulations to you all!

“I’d also like to congratulate Daniel Coyle, Ariel Grange and Legacy’s breeder Romain Rotty for their achievement in being awarded the WBFSH show jumping breeder award. This combination have brought team Ireland a lot of success on the world stage and deserve this recognition.”

Tiernan Gill, IHB chairman: “The Irish Horse Board would like to congratulate Patrick Connolly, Denis Hickey, Mark Sherry, Liam Nicholas and the families of the late Harold McGahern and Ita Brennan, the aunt of our Irish Horse Board director and HHS Calais’s owner, Marion Hughes.

“It is truly fantastic to have these top-six horses bred in six different counties, demonstrating how important sport horse breeding is to rural Ireland and how the breeding of successful Irish horses can help promote Ireland on the world stage. Congratulations to all involved.

“In eventing, it is disappointing that the ISH studbook has slipped to second place this year, just 144 points behind the winning Holstein studbook after many years in front. The “Leading studbook in the world” title has significant cachet in encouraging new potential purchasers to Ireland, from a promotion and marketing perspective.

“However, the individual breeders involved deserve significant credit for breeding superb winning horses, in particular Woods Rosbotham for breeding fifth-ranked Cooley Rosalent. Also, congratulations to Mary Brennan, Michael Callery, Noel Russell, Jeanette Glynn and Justin Burke.

“Again, five different counties represented by these successful event breeders. With nine different counties represented, the success of Irish breeders is deep-seated throughout the Irish countryside. Congratulations to each and every one of them.”

Woods and Lisa Rosbotham, breeders of Cooley Rosalent: “Absolutely delighted that Cooley Rosalent finished as the top Irish Sport Horse and fifth overall in the event horse rankings.

“She has had great results this year with Oliver and it’s very special, as we bred her from our own mare and stallion. It’s great too for Valent to achieve this from a small number of progeny.”

Shane Sweetnam, rider of CSF James Kann Cruz: “CSF James Kann Cruz (Gizmo) is a special horse. We’re lucky to have such a great horse and even luckier to have a great Irish-bred horse.

“Breeding in Ireland is catching up quickly with the rest of the world and that’s thanks to breeders like the Connollys and other breeders in Ireland. People like this are putting a lot of thought, effort, money, time and dreams into breeding something they can be proud of.

“So hopefully, these horses can get to the right hands and start getting more Irish horses to the top of the WBFSH rankings.”

Patrick Connolly, breeder of CSF James Kann Cruz: “Delighted with James Kann Cruz’s achievements for us as breeders and thrilled for Shane and Gizmo’s partners for their WBFSH placing. Wishing them continued success in the future.”

WBFSH Top 10 horses

WBFSH Top Studbooks

DID YOU KNOW

  • The WBFSH rankings first began in 1994. Its calendar year starts on October 1st and points won in FEI competitions count towards the final results. Leading studbooks are based on the combined points tally of each member studbook’s top-six performers since last October.
  • TSF Dalera BB is once again the only horse to retain her WBFSH number one place from last year’s rankings, making it four years in a row to do so. Donatello D’Auge and Galileo Nieuwmoed were the top show jumping and event horses in 2023.
  • Sadly, it is the second year for a posthumous leading dressage award for Silke Druckenmüller, as TSF Dalera BB’s breeder passed away in 2023.
  • The BWP, KWPN and Hannoverian Verband studbooks feature in all three categories.
  • The ISH studbook’s unbeaten run in the eventing category was first interrupted by the Hannoverian Verband in 2010; twice by the Selle Français (2014, 2021) and KWPN (2018, 2020) studbooks and now the Holsteiner Verband (2024).
  • This is the first year the Holsteiner Verband has topped the event horse rankings, having previously done so in show jumping (2012, 2016).
  • Any horses retain their top-10 place from the 2023 rankings? Yes, TSF Dalera BB, Imothep, Emilio 107, Touchdown and Bluetooth (dressage); Izilot DHI and London 52 (eventing) and just King Edward (show jumping).
  • How many Irish-breds doubled up on 2023 and 2024 top-six Irish Sport Horses appearances? James Kann Cruz, Up Too Jacco Blue, Rincoola Milsean and GRS Lady Amaro (show jumping), plus Rehy DJ and HSH Blake (eventing).

    • Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz (ISH), pictured winning the five-star $340,000 American Gold Cup at Traverse City, Michigan \ Andrew Ryback Photography

    BY THE NUMBERS

    3 - times Oliver Townend is the rider of the top-ranked ISH event horse: Ballaghmor Class (2019, 2023) and Cooley Rosalent (2024). “Thomas” and Townend line out in this week’s five-star Maryland at Fair Hill.

    2 - times that James Kann Cruz is the top ISH show jumping horse in the WBFSH rankings: 2022 and 2024.

    1 - rider with two top-10 show jumping horses: Shane Sweetnam with James Kann Cruz and the Brazilian-bred RR Combella.

    Top ISH show jumping horses

    Sixth - James Kann Cruz. 2013. Kannan (KWPN) - CSF Telly Cruz, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH). Breeder: Patrick Connolly, Co Galway. Rider: Shane Sweetnam (IRE).

    24th - GRS Lady Amaro. 2013. Amaretto D’Arco (BWP) - Legal Lady (TB) by Over The River (TB). Breeder: Denis Hickey, Co Wexford. Rider: Mark McAuley (IRE).

    25th - Rincoola Milsean. 2013. Aldatus Z (OLD) - Rincoola Abu, by Cruising (ISH) (TIH). Breeder: Harold McGahern. Co Longford. Rider: Charlotte Jacobs (USA).

    84th - Up Too Jacco Blue. 2011. Chaco-Blue (MECKL) - Celestial Up Too, by Ard VDL Douglas (KWPN). Breeder: Mark Sherry, Co Wicklow. Rider: Max Kühner (AUT).

    131st - HHS Calais. 2011. Cavalier Royale (HOLST) - MHS OBOS Cruise, by O.B.O.S Quality 004 (OLD). Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Rider: Mikey Pender (IRE).

    132nd - Express Trend. 2010. Future Trend (OLD) - Condios Express, by Condios (HOLST). Breeder: Liam Nicholas, Co Clare. Rider: Jessica Burke.

    Top ISH eventing horses

    Fifth - Cooley Rosalent. 2014. Valent (KWPN) - Bellaney Jewel (TB), by Roselier. Breeder: Woods Rosbotham, Co Down. Rider: Oliver Townend (GB).

    10th - MHS Seventeen. 2013. Callahan (HANN) - MHS Dancing Queen, by Quidam Junior I. Breeder: Mary Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Rider: Ros Canter (GBR).

    12th - Greenacres Special Cavalier. 2012. Cavalier Royale (HOLST) - Greenacres Touch, by Touchdown (ISH). Breeder: Michael Callery, Co Meath. Rider: Caroline Powell (NZL).

    15th - Rehy DJ. 2010. Tinarana’s Inspector (WESTF) - Rehys Misty, by Big Sink Hope (TB). Breeder: Noel Russell, Co Clare. Rider: Yasmin Ingham (GB).

    16th - Capels Hollow Drift. 2011. Shannondale Sarco (BWP) - Lucky Crest, by Lucky Gift (TB). Breeder: Jenny Glynn, Co Clare. Rider: Tom Jackson (GBR).

    19th - HSH Blake. 2014. Tolan R (KWPN) - Doughiska Lass, by Kannan (KWPN). Breeder: Justin Burke, Co Galway. Rider: Caroline Pamacku (USA).

    Top ISH in WBFSH rankings

    Eventing

    2004 - Ballincoola (Seventh. TIH. Sire: Highland King. Breeder: Pat Keogh).

    2005 - Ben Along Time (Sixth. Cavalier Royale. James Jameson).

    2006 - Ringwood Cockatoo (First. TIH. Peacock. Hilary Greer).

    2007 - McKinlaigh (Third. TIH. Highland King. Yvonne Walsh).

    2008 - Ben Along Time (Second).

    2009 - Ringwood Cockatoo (Ninth).

    2010 - Mandiba (Third. TIH. Master Imp. William Micklem).

    2011 - Lenamore (16th. TIH. Sea Crest. Helen Walsh).

    2012 - Mr Medicott (First. TIH. Cruising. Dr. Donal Geaney).

    2013 - Mr Cruise Control (Sixth. TIH. Cruising. Jenny McCann Bubani).

    2014 - Kilronan (Ninth. TIH. Ghareeb. Pat Fenlon).

    2015 - Cambalda (Ninth. TIH. Balda Beau. John Irish).

    2016 - Mighty Nice (Second. Ard Ohio. William Kells).

    2017 - Cooley Cross Border (Eighth. Diamond Roller. Johnny Duffy).

    2018 - Horseware Stellor Rebound (11th. VDL Ricochet. Rhona Barnwall).

    2019 - Ballaghmor Class (Third. Courage II. Noel Hickey).

    2020 - Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (10th. Garrison Royal. Patrick J. Kearns).

    2021 - Brookfield Innocent (Fourth. Inocent. John Mulvey).

    2022 - Off The Record (Fifth. VDL Arkansa. Peter G. Brady)

    2023 - Ballaghmor Class (Second).

    2024 - Cooley Rosalent (Fifth. Valent. Woods Rosbotham).

    Show jumping

    2004 - Carling King (19th. TIH. Clover Hill. Dr. Pat Geraghty).

    2005 - McGuinness (38th. Cavalier Royale. Josephine Jordan).

    2006 - McGuinness (43rd).

    2007 - Mo Chroi (26th. TIH. Cruising. Claire McDonnell).

    2008 - Flexible. (48th. TIH. Cruising. Catherine Doyle).

    2009 - Flexible (38th).

    2010 - Flexible (14th).

    2011 - Flexible (27th).

    2012 - Flexible (Sixth).

    2013 - Castlefield Eclipse (76th. O.B.O.S Quality 004. Sarah Nihill).

    2014 - Castlefield Eclipse (25th).

    2015 - Castlefield Eclipse (71st).

    2016 - Limestone Grey (57th. Try Time. David Moran).

    2017 - Limestone Grey (76th).

    2018 - Luibanta BH (99th. Luidam. Justin Burke).

    2019 - Loughnavatta Indigo (154th. Luidam. Rory Costigan).

    2020 - Luibanta BH (84th).

    2021 - Pacino Amiro (61st. Pacino. Simon Scott).

    2022 - James Kann Cruz (37th. Kannan. Patrick Connolly).

    2023 - Pacino Amiro (Fourth).

    2024 - James Kann Cruz (Sixth).