Shows with Traditional Irish Cobs?

MichaelR

Are there any shows in Ireland where one can see the Traditional Irish Cob, the one that in some other countries is called "tinker"? The ones that are "certified" as the breed, I mean.

I know there are breeders of those horses, but I could not find any horse shows that would advertise them - many just have the "cob class" but a cob can be many things, and I wanted to see this specific thing.

(I just want to get acquainted with traditional Irish native breeds. But I did find a specific show of Irish Draughts, to be held in Blarney Castle on July 28. The Traditional Irish Horse aka Irish Hunter will be at Limerick Show. Already met a Connemara Pony. This leaves the Cob, right?)

bob1984

There is a Traditional Cob class at the AIRC festival this weekend - it takes place in Mullingar EC on Saturday & Sunday with a large variety of show classes available. There are Lightweight Cobs, Heavyweight Cobs and Maxi Cobs on the Saturday & a Traditional Irish Cob class on the Sunday at 11am.

MichaelR

Thanks! Sadly can't make it that particular day but at least I'll know it's there, perhaps for next year. (If other shows with Traditional Cob category are known please post them, thanks!)

P.S. After looking at their leaflet, I need help deciphering the jargon. Is "Coloured Cob" the same as Traditional Cob? I think I saw "Coloured Cob" class at some show listings.

isaos

Hi MichaelR,

Maybe you could have a look at this article from Horse Sport Ireland regarding the different breeds. A cob can be coloured (skewbald or piebald) or not. Most Traditional Cobs are, but not always. Facebook is a great place to find breeders and shows in Ireland so I would give it a try. We don't necessarily have the same approach to Cobs than in the US, a lot of our cobs are used in pony-clubs, as they are usually so good natured, also for hunting etc, not just shows.

http://www.horsesportireland.ie/breeding/irish-cob-studbook/ and http://www.lhi.ie/breed-description.php

MichaelR

Thanks for the links!

Yes, there are a couple of breeders on Facebook and there is a place near Dingle advertising trekking on traditional cobs. It's just that it is easier to show up willy-nilly and ask questions at a show. I wouldn't bother breeders too much because I don't expect to be able to acquire a horse soon. But yeah, I am hoping to start riding lessons soon and then going to Dingle for the trek is an obvious option (except if I show up after just a few lessons, as a total beginner, they might scrap me on weight at my 85 kg).

isaos

MichaelR wrote: »

Thanks for the links!

Yes, there are a couple of breeders on Facebook and there is a place near Dingle advertising trekking on traditional cobs. It's just that it is easier to show up willy-nilly and ask questions at a show. I wouldn't bother breeders too much because I don't expect to be able to acquire a horse soon. But yeah, I am hoping to start riding lessons soon and then going to Dingle for the trek is an obvious option (except if I show up after just a few lessons, as a total beginner, they might scrap me on weight at my 85 kg).

In any event have fun!

MichaelR

Oh I did this got a sudden development. One reason I could not go to Mullingar was that I needed to go to Inis Mor to see my son in Irish College. And it turned out Inis Mor was full of cobs. The owner said it's a Traditional Cob; looks a big on the heavy side to me but I'm very much not an expert - is it one?

isaos

He has got quite a lot of the Cob's usual features, even though his mane looks a bit untidy.. a Cob is usually quite sturdy and comes in various sizes, they would look a bit on the heavy side so this one seems to fit the bill
- I'm not a huge Cob specialist (rather ask me about Connemaras, Thoroughbreds and French breeds ) ! If I were to buy one I would take a knowledgeable friend and would have a look at its book. It is actually nearly impossible to find detailed document re their appearance, surprisingly I found it on this foreign page, but it is the real thing I believe!!
So there you go

https://www.irlannincobyhdistys.fi/irish-cob-stud-book-principles

MichaelR

I'm not buying any soon - they are lovely, but I don't have the land, and livery costs a fortune. For now I just want to learn about them. As we got a "pony and trap" ride on this mare, who steadily did her job in a heavy trot, there was another one, very beautiful, pasturing in a walled-in plot next to the road - I'm told he's a gelding. He saw us and decided to show off some lively galloping, so my little (7yo) son asked if this was a racehorse

MichaelR

As for Connemaras, I hear they are nice and smart, but do have a low limit on rider weight, being large ponies but still ponies?
Both the man on the island and a breeder on Facebook say the cobs can take even a 100 kg rider.

Ave Sodalis

MichaelR wrote:

As for Connemaras, I hear they are nice and smart, but do have a low limit on rider weight, being large ponies but still ponies? Both the man on the island and a breeder on Facebook say the cobs can take even a 100 kg rider.

It depends entirely on the cob. There's a 13.2hh cob in a yard I go to and there's no way you'd put someone 100kg on him. There was also a five year old 15hh cob who may have carried 100kg in a year or two but she would be too young now because her topline hadn't quite filled out. We sold her recently to a light weight woman, and wouldn't have sold her to someone near 100kg.

isaos

MichaelR you might want to look at Draught horses, they would be more suitable!

Cobs were initially meant to pull and to be ridden by kids as well as by adults. Strong and sturdy don't mean that they can take heavy weights: these words also apply to Shetland ponies.. and I was only trying to say that I know more about Connies than Cobs. Stay away from ponies

MichaelR

Aha - thanks!

I'm actually 85 kg now but I was 100 kg two years ago, and I'm not getting any horse right now anyway, just learning. If I ever do, I would want to hedge against the possibility of regaining weight. It looks like this, if I look at the Cob side, could mean a bigger *and* older cob - I really did not know a horse was still growing at age five, I thought they were done growing at about four, so thank you for educating me!

It's just that the Cob has the quiet character and the soft gaits. But I'll certainly be learning more about the Irish Draught; they have a perfectly timed show in Blarney Castle on July 28. And then there are the heavy draughts (Clydesdale, or even the iconic Shire), but for all I know, one has to be pretty rich to afford one because of the food they require, *and* they need constant heavy training to stay in shape.

byhookorbycrook

Full Clydes are rare enough here still , shires even more so. A good solid Irish Draft would be well up to weight.

MichaelR

My curiosity was fully satisfied, posting here in case someone else bumps into this thread while looking for similar information.

It turned out there's a better way to meet horses of Irish breeds than shows. Different equestrian centres have these horses and one can ride them on a trek.

So by now I rode an Irish Draught in Ballyhoura Horse Trekking (near Kilfinane, Johnjoe runs this place) and an Irish Cob in Boskill Equestrian (in Caherconlish, Wesley runs it).

Both mares were fine horses but I feel the Irish Draught does work somewhat better for my size. When I'm seated on the Cob, it's harder to reach her belly with my heels to give her a push. Also the personality of the Irish Draught completely charmed me, though I am not sure if this was the breed or the particular mare. Willing and lively, yet also very friendly and nice. (For any readers who also go to Johnjoe's, I'm talking about Beth. She has positive mentions on Google reviews as far back as 2014). I did not "get" the Cob yet, though it's probably me, not the horse

Irish Sports horses are present in Clonshire and Clarina, so someday I should get a trek there too to complete trying out all the Irish breeds that can carry me at all. (For a lighter person completing a similar "quest", the Connemara should be included; they're pretty easy to find, many places have them).

isaos

Delighted to read your last post! All the very best for the future, both horse anf yourself need to be happy working together... horse riding IS a team job!

MichaelR

I was also told that Puck Fair in Killorglin, co. Kerry, on the horse day (which this year was today and just finished), has many many cobs. Again putting it here in case someone stumbles upon the thread in the future.

isaos

Be careful when you buy at Puck Fair....

MichaelR

Of course. I never wrote anything about buying, just about viewing.

I may be a beginner, but I know that buying a horse from a stranger (at a fair or not) without a thorough inspection by a very trusted vet is a bad idea.