By Gillian Bond and Lisa Keane / HSI
Photography: Laurence Dunne

The Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series has been the key to the development and preparation of young horses in Ireland for the last 17 years. The series, which takes place over four months in eight different locations throughout the country, not only allows Ireland’s top riders to compete their young horses at the highest level in the best venues, but also promotes sustainable young-horse production.

Hence, it is no surprise that the success of horses produced through the Studbook Series is reflected in the results obtained by Irish horses and riders at the showjumping World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Lanaken, Belgium. In 2019, Irish horses and riders claimed four of the nine medals on offer at the championships, and with the level of talent displayed in the 2021 Studbook series, there is much hope that history will be repeated and even surpassed this year.
At the halfway stage of the Irish Sport Horse Studbook Series, the competition is really beginning to heat up, with only a few points separating the five-, six- and seven-year-old leaders from the rest of the field. While everything is still to play for, Irish Sport Horse studbook representatives caught up with the league leaders to chat to them about their horses, breeding decisions and the Studbook Series.

Five-year-old class

Leading the five-year-old field by one point is She’s Got It (ISH), a 2016 mare by Luidam (KWPN) out of Luxs Curious (ISH) by Lux Z (Hann). Bred by Brian Murphy, owned by Penny Murphy and ridden by Stephen Murphy, the breeding and production of She’s Got It truly is a family affair, making her success in the Studbook Series even more special for all involved... To read the complete article you need to be a subscriber

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