Breeding into the future

By Quentin Doran-O'Reilly

Horse Sport Ireland's Director of Breeding Alison Corbally tells us how future sires will be selected.

Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) unveiled its Strategic Breeding Plan for 2009- 2012 last month, setting an ambitious four-target programme, which consists of having a market-led approach to breeding; increasing the participation by riders, etc; better HSI control; and an aim of improving the whole infrastructure of the industry. These very laudable ideals are dependent on finance and the willingness of a very diverse breeder population that must be able to accept well-regulated HSI controls.

HSI Chairman Joe Walsh, as a former Minister for Agriculture, certainly knows the foibles of breeders, stallion masters and farmers. He has stated that the sector's reputation for being disparate and must not be allowed to disrupt the HSI-planned "pathway to the future that must be followed resolutely".

The industry is worth over €400 million to the Irish economy and the plan is possibly Ireland's last chance of putting our sport horse industry into a poll position again. If the enthusiasm of HSI's Director of Breeding Alison Corbally is anything to go by, the plan has a fighting chance of winning through. The HSI's plan is hoped to start next year once the finishing touches are complete. While the final results are not expected for the next 10 years, some aspects should start to manifest themselves within the next three years.

Linear system

The first big move will be the introduction of the linear system of judging conformation rather than the traditional scoring method that focuses on the opinion of the judge on how an animal compares to an ideal. The linear scoring method is based on a more comprehensive list of traits with points for each trait. The results of a recent study carried out by Elaine Breen of the University of Limerick for the Royal Dublin Society highlighted a difference in how the sport horse and Irish Draught judges evaluated the same horses for a number of traits.

Elaine found that the results from the linear scoring method suggested better overall agreement. Her study further showed that it had implications for the stallion inspection process, as judges had different evaluation criteria for conformation traits of sport horses and Irish Draughts.

HSI is setting up a training programme in the linear system for judges in the autumn. The eight-day course will be held in The Netherlands, the home of the linear scoring system, and then followed up with sessions conducted by visiting Dutch judges here next spring.

Alison said the there had been a mixed reaction to the system from judges but HSI felt that the method gave the breeder a lot more information. While this was the element of conformation, the horse still had to be judged on performance and breeding to see if he is good enough for stud duties.

One way or the other, the linear system is here to stay and it will be used in some mare inspections this autumn. Alison was keen to emphasise that the mares would not be guinea pigs but that those judging would have adequate training in the system that will translate back to Irish horses.

Vested interests

As part of the HSI changes, stallion judging panels have been revised. The panels will now be appointed for a three- to five-year period. Each member will be expected to sign a declaration that if he or she has any dealings with the horse being judged they will be required to step down. According to Alison, there will always be an additional person to fill the vacated position. This applies also if a member is sick. Alison went on to say that it is hoped that the panel would be made up of people with experience in all aspects of what is needed in a sire, i.e. competition experience, conformation, breeding and performance, etc.

Alison went on to say that, while it was still under discussion, it was hoped that on inspection day the horses would be shown in batches - for example, a batch of continentals, thoroughbreds, sport horses, Irish Draughts - and that an expert judge would replace one member on the panel in each case.

HSI staff will have gone through the pedigrees of each horse to be inspected before they arrive at the centre but the judging panel will not be informed of the breeding of the animal.

Over the years, panels passed some 700 sires into the studbook and HSI intends to examine every stallion in the studbook and review the performance of its progeny and enter the results into HSI's updated database.

Young stock

If HSI can get breeders to keep colt foals with top-class pedigrees entire, Alison says that that foal can be presented to them and it will go through a veterinary inspection and be tested for athleticism and its gait. Its conformation will be assessed on the linear system. If he gets the OK, it is hoped that the breeder will keep him until he is a four-year-old. As a four-year-old, if he passes a riding and athleticism test, he will get a preliminary recommendation and go forward for the required performance test in open competition. If he gets through, he will be recommended for breeding and his future progeny will tell how good he is as a sire.

Thoroughbreds

Of course, older thoroughbreds and retired racehorses can be passed as TB sires as long as they hold a Weatherbys passport and are right in conformation and general health. If they get through the veterinary examination and are declared good enough for stud duties, they will be issued with a green passport.

Will HSI be leasing stallions as in the past? Alison was adamant that this was just not on the cards at the moment due to the present financial constraints. HSI had looked in to the late Michael Osbourne's idea of buying some quality thoroughbred stallions and distributing straws for storage in cattle breeding stations throughout the country for collection by vets. That idea is still under discussion for continental and thoroughbred horses but again financial constraints are the problem so it will have to go on the long finger.