FG Irish Draught Society
Registered Irish Draught (RID)
RID horse competing in cross-country
Pronounced "draft". This breed's name can be misleading beacause of the traditional draft-type horses when in actuality, the Irish Draught breed is a lighter, free-moving animal. The lineage of this breed can be traced back to Ireland where these farm horses doubled as a hunter and also took the dogcart (also called a trap) into town. This amazing breed is very versatile and today is mostly sought after for it's breeding abilities. These horses are being used more and more to produce foals with excelent bone substance and structure but able to perform at lighter competition.
On several occasions, even though this breed has been in existence for more than a century, it has been nearly lost many times. When there were periods of poverty, Irish Draught breeders stopped registering their horses. After many hours of work done by Irish Draught enthusiasts and the Irish Horse Board, a new stud book was created. While this act was being performed, they found hundreds of Irish Draughts that were being sent to the slaughter house each week and very few were left.
On several occasions, even though this breed has been in existence for more than a century, it has been nearly lost many times. When there were periods of poverty, Irish Draught breeders stopped registering their horses. After many hours of work done by Irish Draught enthusiasts and the Irish Horse Board, a new stud book was created. While this act was being performed, they found hundreds of Irish Draughts that were being sent to the slaughter house each week and very few were left.
Registered Irish Draught Sport Horse (RIDSH)
RIDSH competing in cross-country
For this beautiful cross, the Irish Draught must be contributed. It aided in creating the versatile and unparalleled creation, the Irish Draught Sport Horse. This even tempered, powerful and durable Irish Draught blood runs beautifully in-sync with speed and athleticism of the Thoroughbred. The breed is world famous for it's jumping and cross-country ability, the breed is not only a top, international athlete but a suitable novice mount as well boosting the confidence of a lower level rider.
Many Irish Draught Sport Horses have been appearing with Arabian, Warmblood and Quarter Horse blood in them but it is still the RIDXTB cross that has achieved world-wide status. This cross is refered to as the Irish Draught Sport Horse in America and the Irish Sport Horse in Europe. It may seem confusing but there is a reason for the difference of names.
The Irish Draught Horse is recognized by North America as having a portion of RID (Registered Irish Draught) blood in its pedigree.
The Irish Sport Horse, recognized by the Irish Horse Board, as a horse of ANY breeding, whether RID may or may not be in the pedigree.
To clarify, the IDSH is not a product of an "American" breeding program nor a special breed. It's simply a new way of educating the public about the Irish Draught blood that's so important in many top performing horses.
Many Irish Draught Sport Horses have been appearing with Arabian, Warmblood and Quarter Horse blood in them but it is still the RIDXTB cross that has achieved world-wide status. This cross is refered to as the Irish Draught Sport Horse in America and the Irish Sport Horse in Europe. It may seem confusing but there is a reason for the difference of names.
The Irish Draught Horse is recognized by North America as having a portion of RID (Registered Irish Draught) blood in its pedigree.
The Irish Sport Horse, recognized by the Irish Horse Board, as a horse of ANY breeding, whether RID may or may not be in the pedigree.
To clarify, the IDSH is not a product of an "American" breeding program nor a special breed. It's simply a new way of educating the public about the Irish Draught blood that's so important in many top performing horses.
RID foals
