By Clive Richardson
In the mid 1800s it was estimated that there were around 50 recognisable types of horses and ponies in Britain but relatively few of these developed into breeds or survived into the twentieth century and, once lost, a breed cannot be genetically re-created.

By Nicholas O’Hare
A new book which profiles 100 people who have contributed to the Irish Sport Horse Industry in a meaningful way over the past thirty-five years, features more than 25 enthusiasts, breeders and stallion owners identified with the Irish Draught. These include such well know names as the O’Neills of Slyguff, Billy Cotter, Sally Begg, John McCarthy, Hugh Hennigan, Elizabeth Deane, Moira McKenna, Chantal Deon and many others.

The book is the fifth in a series of books about the Irish horse industry, its stallions, pedigrees and personalities written by Nicholas O’Hare. As a breeder, stallion owner and exhibitor of show and harness horses and ponies, the author has experienced the industry at first hand and writes with the benefit of that knowledge.

Pillars of Irish Horsebreeding is a collection of 100 profiles of breeders and stallion owners with whom the author has been in contact over the years. They are representative of the thousands of horse and pony breeders who are the backbone of Irish excellence in equestrian sport.

Other books written by Nicholas O’Hare are King of Diamonds, The Modern Irish Draught, The Irish Sport Horse and The Modern Connemara. These have all been reprinted in 2005 and are still available from the author.

Pillars of Irish Horse Breeding can be obtained from Nicholas O’Hare, 16 Tailteann Close, Windtown, Navan, Co Meath, Ireland Tel: 00 353 46 9059568 price £14 post paid.

“The Farmer’s horse is an animal of all-work; to be ridden occasionally to market or for pleasure, but to be principally employed for draught. A farmer, and more particularly, a small farmer, will prefer a mare to a gelding, both for riding and driving. She will not cost him so much at first and he will get a great deal more out of her. There can be no doubt that, taking bulk for bulk, a mare is stronger and more lasting than a gelding and, in addition to this, the farmer has her to breed from.”
Quotation from the annotated bibliography by William Youatt, The horse, with a treatise on draught and a copious index, 1831.

Solid Silver-Celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the Irish Draught Horse Society NI 1978 - 2003

Solid Silver runs to 128 lavishly illustrated pages with copy that recalls each of the 25 years since the formation of the Irish Draught Horse Society in Northern Ireland. It features leading breeders who have developed the Irish Draught during that period.

Solid Silver highlights the tremendous success of NI bred horses throughout Ireland and on the World Stage. These include Mr Springfield, currently ranked number two in the World Breeding Rankings for show jumping who is still owned in the Province.

Irish Draughts have always been recognised for their ability to cross country and Prince William has an Irish Draught hunter bred in NI.

The fact that the number of Irish Draught mares in NI has almost doubled in the past 25 years is a testament to the commitment of a dedicated group of breeders.

Solid Silver will provide interesting reading and a delightful photographic record for anyone with an interest in Irish bred horses.

Order Forms are available in Downloads/Forms - here

By Colin A. Lewis
Irish Draughts are essential foundation stock for the production of the non-thoroughbred Irish Sport horses that presently dominate many of the show jumping arenas and eventing courses of the world.
The development of the Irish Draught is traced from the seventeenth century, when the Irish Hobby was transformed into a warm blooded light draught horse. The fortunes of the evolving breed are followed as political, economic and social developments impacted upon horses and horse breeding. The future of the breed is assessed and blood lines and pedigrees are discussed. The importance of Irish Draught blood in the breeding of show jumpers is emphasised.
This is a book for all who are interested in Irish history, in the equine heritage of the country and in the development of a distinctive breed of fine horses. It should also appeal to those concerned with the historical and developing geography of animal breeds.
 

Order Forms are available in Downloads/Forms - here

SET IN SOUTH AFRICA & SUSSEX
If you have ever ridden a horse (including Irish Draughts), or gone fishing, this is the book for you. And if you’ve done neither, A FISHERMAN IN THE SADDLE will take you on a journey from the stunning beaches of the Cape to the cool cathedral-like pine copses and heathery moors of Ashdown Forest in Sussex, home of the fabled Pooh Bear, and then on to the American North West and California.