News News
Most Read Articles
| British Horse Feeds launches showing series in collaboration with Irish Draught Horse Society |
| British Horse Feeds (BHF), in collaboration with the Irish Draught Horse Society (IDHS) (GB), is to run a new showing series in 2024 specifically for Irish draught horses, with classes taking place at 12 qualifying shows between March and June 2024. The final of this British Horse Feeds Irish Draught Horse Society (GB) Ridden Championship Series is to be held at the Agria Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead on 27 July 2024.
Aimed at promoting and highlighting the breed, BHF and IDHS (GB) have secured sponsorship for the series across three years to provide the opportunity for pure-bred Irish draughts (ID) and Irish draught sport horses (IDSH) (with a minimum 25% ID) to qualify for the prestigious Agria Royal International Horse Show. Many horses across a multitude of different disciplines, from grassroots to the very top of equestrian sport, have an element of ID in their breeding, and, last year, at the Horse of the Year Show 2023, 31 pure-bred IDs competed, with 150 Irish sport horses taking part in a number of disciplines including showjumping, working hunter and hunter classes across the various class weights. Notably, there were two pure-breds and one ISH in the supreme in-hand championship, which represents a real endorsement of the breed, while also raising its profile. |
IDHS (GB) show director Jane Imbush commented: “It’s clear the Irish draught horse is a breed that has undeniably had a substantial influence in shaping equine sports. It’s hard to believe that the breed has recently grappled with the possibility of becoming endangered, primarily because of crossbreeding and undue strain on its foundation stock, threatening its genetic diversity. This concern is most definitely at the forefront of this championship series.”
Branca Gebbie, business and trade manager for British Horse Feeds added: “We have extended the series to also include an Irish draught sport horse class, as we believe this promotes to a wider audience while underlining the urgency of preserving the true essence of the Irish draught breed, through the pure-bred class, an objective to which British Horse Feeds is committed throughout this series sponsorship and collaboration.”
Sponsorship and marketing manager at Hickstead Simon Gaskin said: “We are delighted to be involved in this series and to host the final at the Agria Royal International Horse Show. It’s extremely important to safeguard the Irish draught’s longevity and the inclusion of Irish draught categories in the Royal International is in perfect harmony with our shared dedication to preserving and elevating this extraordinary breed.”
To find out more about the 12 qualifiers, visit idhsgb.org.uk/shows-and-events/diary/
Your Comments
Newsletter Sign-up
Subscribe
Latest Issue
Brilliant Badminton
Added 22nd April, 2024
BRC secures SEIB sponsorship for further two years
Added 5th April, 2024
Tania Grantham’s diamond pole layout exercise
Added 27th October, 2022
Dressage to music – prelim level
Added 28th June, 2022
