With the first of the Dressage competitions taking place this past weekend, equestrian action is officially underway at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Irish-bred horses are represented across all three of the equestrian Olympic disciplines; Dressage, Eventing & Showjumping. In total fifteen Irish-bred will compete at the games. One in Dressage, twelve in Eventing and two in Showjumping.
Impressively, Irish event breeder and owner Kate Jarvey has bred two of the event horses at this year’s Olympic Games - Colorado Blue with Austin O’Connor (IRL) & Balham Mist with Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE). To add to this breeding feat, these two horses are siblings, being out of the Rock King mare Rock Me Baby. An incredible achievement. Another stand-out breeding achievement comes from the Brennan family in Kilkenny. For the third Olympic Games in a row they have bred a horse who contests the games. At London 2012 Imperial Cavalier, bred by John Brennan who based in Waterford, placed individual 5th and won a Team Silver medal with Mary King (GBR). John’s mother, Ita Brennan, then bred MHS Going Global who competed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio under Ireland’s Greg Broderick, and now also Cian O’Connor’s young superstar Kilkenny at the Tokyo Olympics. Of course, we can’t forget Ireland’s Heike Holstein in Dressage, who bred Sambuca and took her home-bred mare all the way to the Olympic Games.
Breeding a horse to compete at the Olympic Games is the ultimate dream for many breeders. Huge congratulations to each of the breeders of these fifteen Irish horses, and to everyone who has played a part in their education and production to date.
The following are the Irish-bred horses contesting ‘Tokyo 2020’ (as per the FEI definite entries list on the 24th July 2021). Horses are listed in order of discipline, and then in alphabetical order by country & then order of rider as per the FEI list.
DRESSAGE
Sambuca (SIES) - 2009 mare by Samarant (HANN) out of Astoria (ISH), by Limmerick (HOLST). Breeder: Heike Holstein, Kildare. Owners: Jake & William Bell. Rider: Heike Holstein (IRL)
EVENTING
Glenfly (IRE) (TB) – 2005 gelding by Presenting (TB) out of Dorans Glen (TB), by Over the River (TB). Breeder: R Ryan. Owner/Rider: Marcelo Tosi (BRA)
Ballaghmor Class (ISH) – 2007 gelding Courage II (HOLST) out of Kilderry Place (ISH). Breeder: Noel Hickey, Limerick. Owners: Karyn Shuter, Angela Hislop & Val Ryan. Rider: Oliver Townend (GBR)
Rioghan Rua (ISH) – 2007 mare by Jack Of Diamonds (SWB) out of Highland Destiny (ISH), by Flagmount King (ID). Breeder: Margaret Kinsella, Galway. Owners: Frank & Margaret Kinsella. Rider: Cathal Daniels (IRL)
Horseware Woodcourt Garrison (ISH) – 2009 gelding by Garrison Royal (ISH) out of Davitt Star (ISH), by Furisto (HANN). Breeder: Patrick J Kearns, Laois. Owner: Breda Kennedy. Rider: Sarah Ennis (IRL)
Tullabeg Flamenco (ISH) – 2009 gelding by Tullabeg Fusion (ISH) out of Tullabeg Heidi (ISH), by Ardenteggle Sir (IPSA). Breeder: Nicholas Cousins, Wexford. Owner: Vahe Bogossian. Rider: Sam Watson (IRL)
Colorado Blue (SHBGB) – 2009 gelding by Jaguar Mail (SF) out of Rock Me Baby (AES), by Rock King (WNTR). Breeder: Mellon Stud / Kate Jarvey, Limerick. Owners: Austin O’Connor & The Salty Syndicate. Rider: Austin O’Connor (IRL)
Grovine De Reve (ISH) – 2008 gelding by Hermes De Reve (SF) out of Erkina Jane (ISH), by Rimilis (TB). Breeders: Paddy & Maria Raggett, Kilkenny. Owners: Therese Miller & Jonelle Price. Rider: Jonelle Price (NZL)
Castle Larchfield Purdy – 2002 gelding out of Hallo Purdy (ISH), by Hallo (SF). Breeder: Patrick Hally, Kilkenny. Owners: Purdy Syndicate, CCC & Lauren Billys. Rider: Lauren Billys (USA)
MP Imagine If (ISH) – 2011 mare by Shannondale Sarco St Ghyvan (BWP) out of Fast Morning Flight (ISH), by Errigal Flight (ISH) . Breeders: Mr. & Mrs. John McMahon, Clare. Owner: Tatyana Gura. Rider: Mikhail Nastenko (RUS)
Balham Mist (SHBGB) - 2007 gelding by Mill Law out of Rock Me Baby (AES), by Rock King (WNTR). Breeder: Kate Jarvey, Limerick. Owners: Andrew Ayres & Svennerstål Eventing AB. Rider: Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE)
Boleybawn Prince (ISH) (TIH) - 2004 gelding by Colin Diamond (ISH) out of Ann Brook Lass (ISH), by Clover Hill (ID). Breeder: Brain McDonnell, Tipperary. Owners: Arinadtha, Karnchanaporn & Tanakorn Chavatanont & Natthaya Lertrungamorn. Rider: Arinadtha Chavatanont (THA)
Carnival March (ISH) – 2011 gelding by Cavalier Carnival (ISH) out of Ryans Cruise (ISH), by Atlantic Cruise (ISH). Breeder: Martin Ryan, Tipperary. Owners:Harald Link, Sureeporn Pitakanonda & Nunthinee Tanner. Rider: Weerapat Pitakanonda (THA)
SHOWJUMPING
Kilkenny (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Cardento (HOLST) out of MHS Pembrook Lady (ISH), by Guidam (SF) Breeder: Ita Brennan, Co Kilkenny. Owner: Susan Magnier. Rider: Cian O’Connor (IRL)
Pacino Amiro (ISH) – 2012 gelding by Pacino (BWP) out of Carnone Dancing Queen (ISH) by NC Amiro (AES). Breeder: Simon Scott, Co. Donegal. Owner: Aiden McGrory. Rider: Bertram Allen (IRL)
ENDS
