Continental sires continue to dominate show jumping breeding
WHILE Irish stallions feature prominently on the eventing list, the same cannot be said for the show jumping equivalent, where the highest-placed Irish Sport Horse sire in 95th position is Cruising.
Each year it is proving more and more difficult for Irish stallion owners to complete with their foreign rivals, and there is no doubt that continental sires can produce the goods when it comes to competing at the top level of the sport.
The French sire Diamant de Semilly dominated the leaderboard for 2015 and 2016 but this year he has been overtaken by Chacco Blue, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 14.
During his career at stud he sired some 1,000 foals and has left a great legacy in his offspring. This includes the 12-year-old mare Chataga, and Cohiba VDL, the former ride of Irishman Darragh Kenny.
Other successful show jumpers include Chacco 21, Chaccland and Chaccorina.
One of the most successful show jumpers of all time, Diamant de Semilly has often held the No 1 spot and has also had the accolade of leading Selle Francais sire.
Achievements
Ridden by Eric Levallois, his most memorable achievements include team gold at the 2002 World Equestrian Games and team silver at the European Championships in 2003.
He has now passed his talent onto his progeny, in particular his stallion son Diarado, the highest-ranked jumping stallion in Germany.
Diamant de Semilly is also sire of Quickly Du Kreisker, Don VHP Z and Hello Guv’nor.
For Pleasure now holds third position on the table ahead of Cornet Obolensky, with Casall (5th), Kashmir Van’t Schuttershof (6th) , Kannan (7th), Baloubet Du Rouet (8th) Balou du Rouet (9th) and Quidam De Revel (10th) filling the remaining top-10 places.