ISH STUDBOOK TOPS

2017 WBFSH RANKINGS

The Irish Sport Horse (ISH) Studbook has once again been crowned the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses (WBFSH) leading eventing studbook in the world for 2017. Since the WBFSH rankings were established in 1994, the ISH Studbook has topped the rankings for 22 of the 24 years.

The rankings for the 2017 season take account of FEI competitions from 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017.

Just last weekend, the Irish eventing team finished fourth at the three-star FEI Nations Cup at Boekelo in the Netherlands. Ireland had been in 10th place after dressage and climbed the leader board on Saturday after three clear cross-country rounds.

The final show jumping phase saw Austin O’Connor with Kilpatrick Knight (ISH, TIH) jump clear inside the time, while Sam Watson with Imperial Sky (ISH, TIH) and Michelle Kenny with RLE Aspe, both finished with just one fence down. Ireland’s last rider, Declan Cullen with Seavaghan Ash (ISH), finished with 10 faults to leave the team on a final score of 207.20.

New Zealand took top spot with a score of 160.90, with Germany second (174.30) and Australia in third (203.70) – less than one fence ahead of the Irish. The home team from the Netherlands finished fifth (237.40), with France sixth (244.60).

Sam Watson finished best of the Irish individually in 13th overall with his second mount Ardagh Highlight (ISH) on a score of 57.00. New Zealand’s Tim Price claimed victory, riding Cekatinka with a score of 43.70.

Col Billy Ringrose book

Army show jumping star of the 50s and 60s, Col Billy Ringrose will long be remembered for great wins at Nice, Rome and Dublin, and for his partnership with the wonderful Loch an Easpaig. That memory will be further extended through a new book written by his son Fergal, titled Billy Ringrose – a Memoir of my Father.

This interesting work will no doubt also fill gaps in the history of the Army Equitation School that Billy headed during the 70s and early 80s.

The launch will take place at the RDS Library on Thursday 2 November at 6.30pm.