Shear H20, an Irish Horse successful in eventing.

The Irish Sport Horse (US: Irish Draught Sports Horse), also known as the Irish Hunter, is mainly the result of a cross between the Irish Draught and the Thoroughbred. It has not yet been given recognition as a separate breed, although it is commonly bred from parents who are also Irish Sport Horses, in addition to being bred from the definitive parent breeds. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1024, 203 KB)Photo-shopped version of File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1500x1024, 203 KB)Photo-shopped version of File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ... Irish horses are renowned for being the best hunters in the worldand none more so than those produced by crossing Thooroughbred with Irish Draught. ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ...

The Irish Sport Horse is traditionally used for all purposes, from transportation, to riding, and working the land. However, it is becoming increasingly popular as a competition riding horse. Its natural athletic ability and fantastic jumping talents means that it excels in the show jumping arena, as well as competing at the highest levels of eventing. The horse is globally renowned for being one of the best fox hunting mounts in the world, and the Irish Sport Horse studbook regularly tops the rankings for eventing[1]. Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ... A fox hunt Fox hunting is a form of hunting for foxes using a pack of scent hounds. ... Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show-jumping. ...

Ireland produces a great number of Irish Sport Horses each year, many of them selling for great amounts in the United States and Europe.

Characteristics

Irish Sport Horse mare and foal.

The Irish Sport Horse receives the sense and honesty of the Irish Draught and the athleticism, speed, and endurance of the Thoroughbred. It has an excellent temperament, being calm, yet lively when needed, and is very tough. Connemara blood is also found in some Irish mares. Due to its sense and strength, it is popular with police forces in Britain and Irelend. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 743 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1406 × 1134 pixel, file size: 308 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 743 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1406 × 1134 pixel, file size: 308 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Irish horses are renowned for being the best hunters in the worldand none more so than those produced by crossing Thooroughbred with Irish Draught. ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ... The Connemara is a hardy pony breed from Ireland, and is the ultimate pony sport horse, excelling at the top levels of most FEI disciplines. ...

The Irish Sport Horse tends to fall into three types: light-weight for carrying a rider up to about 70kg, middle-weight to carry a rider up to about 89kg, and heavy-weight for riders exceeding 89kg. Carrying a rider according to this classification includes being able to participate in hunting or other strenuous riding activities. Nowadays, most Irish Horses are middle-weights, and it is uncommon to find a true heavy-weight or a Lady's horse (trained for sports in side-saddle, and usually a light-weight).

The horse has an attractive head with a sometimes convex profile (a "Roman nose"). It has a slightly-arched and muscular neck, long, sloping shoulders, a deep but not overly broad chest, a short, compact back, and a muscular croup with powerful hindquarters. The croup is often sloping and long, a trait coming from the Irish Draught, which improves its jumping ability. The high withers of the Thoroughbred are also evident in many cases. Irish horses are renowned for being the best hunters in the worldand none more so than those produced by crossing Thooroughbred with Irish Draught. ... Thoroughbred race horses The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known as a race horse. ...

The Irish Sport Horse can be any colour, although it is very rare to find piebalds and skewbalds. It ranges from 15hh - 17hh. A piebald horse A piebald horse is a horse with large white and black patches. ... The Skewbald horse has a coat made up of brown and grey patches, on top of either pink or black skin. ...

 The Irish sport horse is one of the truly great horse breeds from the Ireland, along with the connemara pony, Irish cob and the thoroughbred race horse. More information about these breeds can be found on the Irish Horse Society website http://www.irishhorsesociety.com 

External links

• Irish Horse Board, Ireland (maintains Irish Sport Horse stud book)
• World Breeding Federation for Sports Horses (maintains breed rankings for dressage, eventing, and showjumping)