Traditional Cob Breeders in Ireland

TRADITIONAL COB BREEDERS IN IRELAND

Traditional Cob breeders in Ireland know that there are two different types of Traditional Cob, the Irish Cob (which is the Irish type Traditional Cob) and the Gypsy Cob (which is English type Traditional Cob). Traditional Cob breeders in Ireland also know that because there is no Gypsy Cob Studbook, Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs are both registered in the Irish Cob Studbook, and that this must therefore be damaging and contrary to an Irish Cob breeding programme as well as to a Gypsy Cob breeding programme.

Although back in early 2000s the Irish Cob Society (ICS) was registering a small number of Gypsy Cobs (English type) in the Irish Cob Studbook, it was not enough to negatively impact the Irish Cob Studbook breeding programme, and because they were not placed in Irish Cob shows held by ICS, Irish Cob breeders were not encouraged to breed them.

THE IRISH COB STUDBOOK

ICS Irish Cob Shows

Back in the early 2000s - when the Irish Cob Society (ICS) was approved to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook - the only Traditional Cobs entered in Irish Cob classes held by the Irish Cob Society (ICS) were Irish Cobs. This meant that all the Traditional Cobs in an ICS Irish Cob showing classes looked the same Traditional Cob breed type (Irish Cob) and were no smaller than 14.2 hands. ICS did not place Traditional Cobs under 14.2 hands because they were regarded as Gypsy Cobs (English type). All of the Irish Cobs shown at ICS shows in the early 2000s were the original ‘1990s’ Irish Cob which were predominantly piebald, although many were also skewbald or solid coloured.

All Traditional Cobs have Irish roots

Although the Gypsy Cob was developed in England from Ireland’s Traditional Cob (Irish Cob) and the Gypsy Cob is therefore the ‘English type’ Traditional Cob, the Gypsy Cob is fundamentally Irish because all Traditional Cobs in the world (Irish Cobs, Tinkers, Gypsy Cobs, Traditional Gypsy Cobs, Gypsy Vanner Horses) are either Traditional Cobs from Ireland or the descendants of Traditional Cobs from Ireland, and all Traditional Cobs in the world (Irish Cobs, Tinkers, Gypsy Cobs, Traditional Gypsy Cobs, Gypsy Vanner Horses) therefore share the same Irish ancestral roots.

The Irish Cob Studbook now

Because the Gypsy Cob (English type) has become very popular in Ireland, the number of Gypsy Cobs (English type) being registered in the Irish Cob Studbook could now exceed the number Irish Cobs (Irish type) registered in the Irish Cob Studbook.

Just because the Gypsy Cob (English type) is fundamentally Irish - because all Traditional Cobs in the world share the same Irish ancestral roots - does not mean that registering Gypsy Cobs in the Irish Cob Studbook is right. What has apparently happened is that the Irish Cob Studbook has changed from being a single Traditional Cob breed studbook for the Ireland's Traditional Cob (Irish Cob), into a mixed Traditional Cob breed type studbook for Traditional Cobs (Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs) with Irish ancestral roots, thereby appearing to justify the registration of both Traditional Cob breed types (Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs) in the Irish Cob Studbook. 

The Irish Cob Studbook breeding programme is based on the Irish Cob Breed Standard which was written (authored) by Evelyn Flynn for the Irish Cob Studbook. The Gypsy Cob (which is called the Traditional Gypsy Cob in the UK) has a different breed standard. It is apparent therefore, that Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) - which is currently approved to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook - is not adhering to the Irish Cob Studbook breeding programme and that HSI is therefore not in compliance with the conditions for approval to maintain the Irish Cob Studbook. Discerning Irish Cob breeders in Ireland can (and should) object. 

Irish Cobs breeders in Ireland complain all the time between themselves about the numbers of Gypsy Cobs being approved for registration in the Irish Cob Studbook, because registering their Irish Cobs in the Irish Cob Studbook is no longer something to boast about - i.e. is of no value as a supposed purebred Irish Cob breed register.

THE TRADITIONAL COB REGISTRY

TCR Traditional Cob Shows 

The negative impact of both Irish Cobs (Irish type) and Gypsy Cobs (English type) being registered in the Irish Cob Studbook as the same breed (as Traditional Cobs that share the same Irish ancestral roots) was made apparent when TCR started holding TCR Traditional Cob Shows. 

Unlike the Irish Cob showing classes held by ICS in the early 2000s - which had the same Traditional Cob breed type (Irish Cob) and were therefore straightforward to judge, the TCR Traditional Cob Spring Show held in Mullingar in March 2025 in particular (which had circa 100 entries) was quite a shock to TCR because in the classes there were bother Traditional Cobs (Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs) and of every size, type and colour. This made made breed judging impossible (or at the very least extremely difficult) which was unfair to both judges and exhibitors. Onlookers watching a breed showing class being judged should see a lineup of animals of similar height that look the same, and only the judge should be able to see the subtle differences that could make one better than another as a representative of their breed.

At the TCR Traditional Cob Spring Show held in Mullingar in March 2025 it was made clear to TCR that change was needed for registration and showing purposes in order to recognise the two Traditional Cob breed types (Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob), both the traditional (original) ones and also the modern (‘designer’) ones which can have an unlimited colour range and which can also be any size (large, standard, small and mini). This change can be seen on the online entry form and classes for the TCR Traditional Cob Autumn Show 2025.

 at which TCR will be dividing Traditional Cob classes by height (large, standard, small and mini), and will be awarding a TCR rosette to the BEST & RESERVE BEST IRISH COB and BEST & RESERVE BEST GYPSY COB in each Traditional Cob class, and a TCR trophy to the BEST OLD-TYPE PIEBALD, BEST OLD-TYPE SKEWBALD,and BEST SOLID COLOUR Traditional Cob.

The TCR Traditional Cob Autumn Show 2025

The TCR Traditional Cob Autumn Show 2025 is being held on Saturday 13^th September 2025 at Emerald International, Mulgeeth, Enfield, Co. Kildare (Gate opens at 8.30am – First classes start at 9.30am).

The reason the show date was changed from 14^th September 2025 is because it was clashing with Banagher Horse Fair.

Breed type registration recognition - As well as FREE TCR registration being included with every online entry, the breed on the online entry form can be registered as Traditional Cob, Irish Cob, Traditional Irish Cob, Gypsy Cob, Traditional Gypsy Cob, Mini Gypsy Cob, Stepping Cob, Part Bred Traditional Cob, or Tradian (Traditional Cob x Friesian).

Breed type showing class recognition - TCR will be dividing Traditional Cob classes by height (large, standard, small and mini), and will be awarding a TCR rosette to the BEST & RESERVE BEST IRISH COB and BEST & RESERVE BEST GYPSY COB in each Traditional Cob class, and also a TCR trophy to the BEST OLD-TYPE PIEBALD, BEST OLD-TYPE SKEWBALD,and BEST SOLID COLOUR Traditional Cob.

The Show Judges

TCR judge Johnny Simpson (a renowned UK show judge) will be judging the Traditional Cob stallion class, the Traditional Cob Mare & Foal class, the Traditional Cob Mare 4+ y/o class, the Ridden class (Rider 16+ y/o) and the Ridden class (Rider <16 y/o).

TCR judge Liselotte Laurberg (a Danish all-breed show judge) will be judging the Traditional Cob young stock class (1 to 3 year olds), the Traditional Cob Gelding 4+ y/o class, the Friesian classes, and the Lead-Rein class (Liselotte also worked on a Friesian stud farm in Denmark for some years). 

TCR judge Eugene Divine (who resides in the UK) will be judging the Stepping Cob classes, the Tradian (Traditional Cob x Friesian) classes, and the Small Cob and Mini Cob classes (Eugene has a wealth of experience in the UK show circuit and specialises in Gypsy Cobs and Stepping Cobs).  

The Show Venue

The only reason the TCR Traditional Cob Autumn Show is not being held again in the Ballinasloe Showgrounds is because it was the unanimous decision of the members at the TCR meeting held in November 2024 that the TCR Traditional Cob Spring and Autumn shows need to be held indoors due to the risk of very bad weather.

About Emerald International - Not only is Emerald International a custom-built international equestrian competition venue with an international competition-size indoor arena, seating for over 2,000 spectators, and large outdoor arenas, but because Emerald International is in the equestrian heart of Ireland (Kildare) it is the most suitable venue for holding prestigious live-streamed breed shows. Emerald International also has plenty of indoor and outdoor space for trade stands, so trade stand enquiries are therefore welcome! Because of the immense size of the venue and the cost of hiring it, TCR decided that in addition to holding Traditional Cob classes in the two indoor show rings, that TCR will also hold classes in two outdoor show rings for Traditional Cob Part Breds, Friesians and Tradians (Traditional Cob x Friesian). This will make for a bigger and better show day for all.

TCR SHOWS 2026

In addition to the TCR Traditional Cob Spring and Autumn Shows 2026, TCR will also be holding two regional TCR Traditional Cob Summer Shows in 2026 (one in the Ballinasloe Showgrounds and one in the southern end of the county possible Cork) and possibly a stand-alone TCR Spring Stallion Parade 2026 (which would be in the middle of Ireland).

Agricultural Shows

TCR did not seek to hold TCR Traditional Cob (Irish Cob & Gypsy Cob) classes at any Agricultural Show during 2025 because the Irish Shows Association (which covers the cost of Agricultural Show insurance) cannot get stallion insurance. That is why TCR (as well as other breed registries such as the Connemara Pony Society) have their own breed shows for stallions, mares and geldings and for which they therefore have to pay the high cost of insurance on top of the high cost of hiring and/or purchasing and maintaining their own venues as well for the judges and stewards and other personnel etc., etc. That is why the entry fees for showing classes at breed shows held by TCR (as well as by other registries such as the Connemara Pony Society) have to be higher than the entry fees for showing classes at Agricultural Shows.

Although Agricultural Shows may risk holding showing classes that include stallions, TCR would not risk holding showing classes at Agricultural Shows that include stallions. It for this reason, that TCR has only been focusing on the holding of its own TCR Traditional Cob breed shows. However, TCR will be approaching Agricultural Shows about holding TCR Traditional Cob (Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob) classes for mares and gelding (no stallions) during 2026.

The Irish Cob Studbook - Because Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs are registered in the Irish Cob Studbook, Irish Cob showing classes held by Agricultural Shows in Ireland would logically include Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs. This means, that a Gypsy Cob could be awarded ‘Champion Irish Cob’ at an Agricultural Show! This is not the fault of any Agricultural Show, it is the fault of the Irish Cob Studbook. It is therefore apparent that a TCR judge should not judge an Irish Cob class held by an Agricultural Show because they include Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs as the same breed, and TCR registers and judges Irish Cobs and Gypsy Cobs separately as two different Traditional Cob breed types. That is the reason why the only class a TCR judge should judge at an Agricultural Show is a TCR Traditional Cob (Irish Cob and Gypsy Cob) classes for mares and geldings (no stallions).