Origins of the Irish Draught 

Horses have been important to Ireland from its earliest days.  It is likely that ancestors of the modern Irish Draught (pronounced ‘draft’) included small native horses which were crossed with Norman warhorses, Great Horses from England as well as Spanish Andalusian stallions.  The earliest reference to the Irish Draught Horse dates from the end of the eighteenth century.  Throughout the 19th and 20th century, many efforts were made to increase the size and quality of the Irish Draught Horse, often with the addition of thoroughbred blood.

The Irish farmer bred himself a lighter, more versatile horse than the heavy breeds available in England.  He needed an animal that could work the land throughout the week, go fox-hunting all day Saturday, jumping anything he faced, and then be ready to bring the family trap to church on Sunday morning. It was from this need that the Irish Draught was born.

 

(Above pictures from gallery at http://www.irishdraught.ie/ )

Over a century of selection has produced a warm-blooded horse of good bone, substance and quality that is very sound and sensible.  The Irish Draught is neither as massive nor as heavily feathered as its name implies.  Its movement is smooth and free, without exaggeration, and not heavy nor ponderous. Standing over a lot of ground, the Draught has an exceptionally strong and sound constitution, great stamina and an uncanny jumping ability. In addition, this breed possesses a fabulous temperament made up of willingness, intelligence, docility and common sense.

Not only is the Irish Draught a perfect companion mount for riders of all ages, but it possesses the ability and versatility to participate in various levels of jumping, eventing, dressage, hunting and driving events. It is all these exceptional qualities that make the Irish Draught an invaluable and irreplaceable element in the production of the highly successful Irish Draught Sport Horse.

Part Bred Irish Draughts

The Irish Draught must be recognized for its invaluable contribution to the creation of the Irish Draught Sport Horse.  The Irish Draught/Thoroughbred cross (also called an Irish Sport Horse, or ISH) is famous throughout the world as a much wanted competition horse.  The temperament, durability and athleticism of the Irish Draught combined with the speed of the Thoroughbred results in a spectacular athlete, often seen in the top levels of show jumping and eventing competition. 

  (http://www.rodrigopessoa.com.br/cavalos_historicos_eng.php)

There can be some confusion in terminology as it relates to Irish Draught part bred horses.   The term “Irish Sport horse” or “Irish Draught Sport Horse” most commonly refers to a horse with both Irish Draught and Thoroughbred breeding.  The magical Irish Draught/Thoroughberd cross is referred to as the Irish Draught Sport Horse in North America and an Irish Sport Horse in Europe.

There is a reason behind the difference in names.  In North America the term ’Irish Draught Sport Horse’ technically refers to a crossbred animal with a portion of RID (Registered Irish Draught) blood.  However, this animal must not necessarily have Thoroughbred blood.  The IDSH is not a new breed, but rather a term used in North America to educate the public about the Irish Draught blood that is so prevalent in many top performance horses.  The Irish Horse Board (Ireland) recognizes an ‘Irish Sport Horse’ as an animal of any breeding, which may or may not have Irish Draught ancestry.  Examples might include RID/TB, Arab/TB, TB/Connemara, or pure TB.  Essentially, it is any Irish horse bred for sporting.  However, many accomplished cross-breds have traditionally been ID/TB horses.  Several examples of such crosses winning in high level competition include Cruising, Cagney, Ado Annie, Eezy, Carling King, Special Envoy and Hopes are High in the Grand Prix Jumping circuit, and Custom Made, Supreme Rock, Giltedge and Sailing in the eventing world.

Sources: Website of IDHSNA (www.irishdraught.com) and “The Irish Draught Horse: A Horse for All Seasons,” publication from the Irish Draught Horse Society (Ireland) and the Irish Horse Board (no date or copyright found on publication.)