The Traditional Cobs of Ireland and the UK

The Traditional Cobs of Ireland and the UK consist of two different Traditional Cob breed types: the Traditional Cob of Ireland (Irish Cob) which was developed in Ireland by Irish Travellers as their perfect caravan horse and the Traditional Cob of the UK (Gypsy Cob) which was developed in England by Romani people who used the Traditional Cob of Ireland (Irish Cob) as the foundation breed to develop the Gypsy Cob as their perfect caravan horse.

Some of the legendary Traditional Cob stallions from Ireland used to found the Gypsy Cob in England and the Gypsy Vanner Horse in the USA are: The Lion King, The Road Sweeper, The Paddy Horse, The Coal Horse, The Sham, Shampoo Boy, The Lob-Eared Horse (The Lob), Old Henry, Eddie Alcocks Old Black Horse Of Ireland, The Checkity Horse, The Old Horse of Ireland, The Old Paddy Horse, The Kerry Horse, and Sonny Mays.

The official studbooks cannot protect the Irish Cob or Gypsy Cob

Although the Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob are two different Traditional Cob breed types, current official registration practices are threatening the purity of both Traditional Cob breed types. Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs are registered in the official Irish Cob Studbooks in the EU as ‘Irish Cobs’ and in the official Traditional Cob Gypsy Cob Studbook in the UK as ‘Traditional Gypsy Cobs’. This contradictory official registration system prevents the preservation of both Traditional Cob breed types throughout Europe. 

Not only is mixing Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs together in official studbooks in the EU and UK devastating purebred Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob breeding in the EU and UK, it also fails to recognise the original breeders of the Irish Cob in Ireland and of the Gypsy Cob in England – thereby resulting in Irish and English Traditional Cob branding confusion.

Although animals registered in official studbooks in the EU and UK must look the same as a breed - i.e. must conform to a single breed standard, the official Irish Cob Studbooks in the EU and the official Traditional Gypsy Cob Studbook in the UK now contain a variety of Traditional Cobs breed types (Irish Cobs, Gypsy Cobs, crosses of both, as well as modern types of both and even Part Breds) which could therefore not conform to the original single breed standards set down for those official studbooks.  This has made judging Traditional Cob showing classes impossible for experienced judges.

TCR can protect the Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob

Unlike the official studbooks in the EU and UK, which must operate under an officially approved breeding programme for a single breed defined by one breed standard, TCR (as an independent registry) is free to operate a registry for different Traditional Cob breed types defined by different breed standards. As a result, TCR can protect the Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob by registering them separately as two different Traditional Cob breed types defined by two different breed standards. No other registry has ever done this!

ABOUT TCR

TCR is an independent registry

The Traditional Cob Registry (TCR) is an independent online Traditional Cob registry based in Ireland that also holds Traditional Cob shows. Although Ireland is in the EU, because TCR is independent, TCR is not bound under official (EU-regulated) studbook rules. TCR is therefore free to operate in any country under its own registration, grading and showing rules. 

TCR does not issue passports 

Because TCR is an independent registry, TCR cannot issue passports. For this reason, a Traditional Cob in the EU or UK must have at least a basic identification passport before it can be registered online with TCR. Once a Traditional Cob is registered online with TCR, its TCR online registration profile (including its breed, pedigree, lab test, results, etc.) will be linked to its passport by its microchip number. 

Why register with TCR? 

1. TCR provides worldwide online Traditional Cob registration. It costs only €30 to register a Traditional Cob (with or without pedigree) online with TCR. For an additional €30, the Traditional Cob can also get an optional TCR registration book that would include photos of the cob and also photos of its parents (if provided). TCR online ownership transferring to a new owner in any country is instant and FREE!

2. Unlike the official studbooks in the EU and UK, which must operate under an officially approved breeding programme for a single breed defined by one breed standard, TCR (as an independent registry) is free to operate a registry for different Traditional Cob breed types defined by different breed standards. As a result, TCR can protect the Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob by registering them separately as two different Traditional Cob breed types defined by two different breed standards. No other registry has ever done this!

3. TCR also registers Mini Cobs and Stepping Cobs.

4. TCR also registers the following Part Breds.

Part Bred – A registered Part Bred is 50% Traditional Cob and 50% any other breed by pedigree or appearance.

Drum Horse – A TCR registered Drum Horse is 50% Traditional Cob (Irish or Gypsy) and 50% Clydesdale or Shire by pedigree or appearance.

Tradian – A TCR registered Tradian is 50% Traditional Cob (Irish or Gypsy) and 50% Friesian by pedigree or appearance.