Dreaming of buying an Irish Draught on the Irish Horse Gateway

Francis Murray General October 24, 2013

“The pure-bred Irish Draught gelding, Loughkeen Dancing Lord, produced and ridden by society president Robert Oliver, was the winning heavyweight hunter at the Horse of the Year Show in 2009, 2010 and 2012 and was also reserve champion Show Hunter of the Year in 2010.  The half-bred gelding Lenamore, by RID stallion, Sea Crest, won Burghley in 2010 at the age of 17. In 2012, 13-year-old Avebury, another half-bred gelding, by the three-quarter Irish Draught Jumbo, also won Burghley, the arguably biggest 4* event in the world. Avebury also received the Wide Awake Trophy for the Top British Bred event horse for 2012.” Farmers Gaurdian UK August 23 2013

Dreaming of buying and owning an Irish Draught just got easier.  The Irish Horse Gateway connects buyers to sellers of Irish horses, helping buyers find an Irish horse of their dreams.  Buying your next Irish Draught or Sports Horse  is only a click away.   The Irish Draught is a firm favourite for many of us riders who love the fact that these horses offer the ultimate in versatility, trainability and of course intelligence.  The Irish Draught is a horse that makes riding, schooling and competing  ever so pleasurable.

The Horse of the Year Show is the pinnacle of the showing and equestrian calendar for the UK and Ireland. Qualifying for the event is a tremendous achievement, as the show attracts the champions of champion horses from many disciplines. This year in the ridden showing classes three beautifully fully bred Irish Draughts geldings took the much sought after honours at the famous HOYS.

Loughkeen Dancing Lord by Crosstown Dancer out of Loughkeen Young Lady by Carrabawn View and bred by Hugo Perdue in Co. Offaly started the ball rolling when he won the TopSpec HW Show Hunter of the Year and that makes it his fourth win at HOYS in six years.With 26 in each division of the cob classes it was the lightweight winner The Comedian by Welcome Flagmount out of Liskillen Harmony by Pride of Glenogra and bred in Co. Meath by Aidan Travers that was crowned Virbac 3D Champion Cob of the Year.

For the third consecutive year Hallmark IX won the Leeman Family Maxi Cob Championship. Bred in Co. Donegal by Martin Howley, the 158.5 cm chestnut is also by Welcome Flagmount his dam being Rebel Rose by Glenagyle Rebel. The nine-year-old Hallmark IX is no stranger to HOYS either and he subsequently added the title of Supreme Horse of The Year 2013 to his other four consecutive wins at the venue.

Irish Draught horse breeders should be much encouraged by the outstanding successes of these horses proving that quality will win out in the long run.

Irish Draughts can be found competing at the highest level across most equestrian disciplines. They make exceptional hunters and are always  in the ribbons in working hunter and showing classes.  It is said their superior bone and temperament are  their winning attributes. The breed is renowned for its strength, intelligence, courage, durability and gentle temperament. From the earliest times horses have always been a part of Irish life.  Over the years small active native horses were crossed with Norman horses and Spanish Andalusian stallions to increase the size of the native breed.

Steeped in Luck at WEG Irish Draught

In addition, the Thoroughbred has also played a significant role in the development of the Irish Draught breed throughout the centuries. Their strength, intelligence and lightness of step means that they can perform in many varied disciplines including showjumping, eventing, dressage, hunting, showing, driving, le trec and endurance riding.  Above all, their reliability makes them extremely safe and sound horse for the amateur and leisure rider.

Irish Draught Horses  play a major role in the production of sport horses in Ireland.  Ever since show jumping had its birth in Ireland and went on to become an international sport, Irish Draught crosses have been a foundation breed for the Irish Sport Horse. The even temperament, athleticism and durability of the breed, crossed with Thoroughbred and sport horse breeds has created a potent mix which is well up to the demands of today’s equestrian sports.  Numerous Irish Draught crosses have competed to the highest level in equestrian sport.

If your looking for an Irish Draught check out the for sales pages on the Irish Horse Gateway, if you can’t find what your looking for get in touch with us at [email protected] we’re here to help.