The Irish Sport Horse (ISH) (US: Irish Draught Sports Horse), also known as the Irish Hunter, is mainly the result of a cross between the Irish Draught and the Thoroughbred. It has been given recognition as a separate breed,. It is commonly bred from parents who are also Irish Sport Horses, in addition to being bred from the definitive parent breeds. The Irish Sport Horse is traditionally used for all purposes, from transportation, to riding, and working the land. However, it is becoming increasingly popular as a competition riding horse. Its natural athletic ability and fantastic jumping talents means that it excels in the show jumping arena, as well as competing at the highest levels of eventing. The horse is globally renowned for being one of the best fox hunting mounts in the world, and the Irish Sport Horse studbook regularly tops the rankings for eventing. Ireland produces a great number of Irish Sport Horses each year, many of them selling for great amounts in the United States and Europe.
Irish Sport Horses (ISH) have been successful in show jumping, and have won medals or been placed at the highest levels of the sport. The highest level of show jumping includes the Olympic Games, Show Jumping World Championships (WEG), European Show Jumping Championships, Show Jumping World Cup and the Pan-American Games.
| Achievement | Rider | Horse | Sire | Dam | Dam's sire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 World Cup Final 2nd | Rich Fellers | Flexible | Cruising (ISH) | Flex (ISH) | Safari (xx) |
| 2004 Olympic's eq. 4th | Kevin Babington | Carling King | Clover Hill (RID) | Gortnageer Star (ISH) | Chair Lift (xx) |
| 2004 Olympic's eq. 4th | Robert Smith | Mr. Springfield | Western Promise (ISH) | Glebe Bess (RID) | Ballinahow Boy (RID) |
| 2002 World Champion | Dermott Lennon | Liscalgot | Touchdown (ISH) | Tulas Pride (ISH) | Tula Rocket (xx) |
| 1999 World Cup Final 2nd | Trevor Coyle | Cruising | Seacrest (RID) | Mullacrew (ISH) | Nordlys (xx) |
| 1996 Olympic Team Bronze | Rodrigo Pessoa | Loro Piana TomBoy | Coevers (xx) | Francis (ISH) | Jab (xx) |
| 1992 Olympic Individual Bronze | Norman Dello Joio | Irish | Regular Guy (xx) | (xx) | (xx) |
| 1988 Olympic Team Silver | Joseph Fargis | Mill Pearl | King of Diamonds (RID) | Carran (xx) | Anthony (xx) |
| 1984 Olympic Individual Bronze | Heidi Robbiani | Jessica V | Candelabra (xx) | Gentle Miss (ISH) | |
| 1984 Olympic Team Silver | John Whitaker | Ryans Son | Ozymandias (xx) | (Conn/Cyld) | |
| 1982 World Individual Silver | Malcolm Pyrah | Towerlands Anglezarke | Jaycee (xx) | (Co. Cork ID) | |
| 1978 World Individual Silver | Eddie Macken | Boomerang | Battleburn (xx) | Girl from the Brown Mountain (ISH) | |
| 1976 Olympic Team Silver | Sönke Sönksen | Kwepe | Nordlys (xx) | (xx) | (xx) |
| 1972 Olympic Individual Gold | Graziano Mancinelli | Ambassador | Nordlys (xx) | (Co. Waterford ID) | ID) |
| 1970 World Champion | David Broome | Beethoven | (xx) | (ID) | |
| 1964 Olympic Individual Bronze | Graziano Mancinelli | Rockette | Water Serpent (xx) | (ISH) | |
| 1960 World Champion | Raimondo D'Inzeo | Gowran Girl | Water Serpent (xx) | (ISH) | |
| 1960 Olympic Individual Silver | Piero D'Inzeo | The Rock | Water Serpent (xx) | (ISH) |