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 Why go to Ireland when the best Irish Horses are being bred in the United States? That question may come to haunt the Irish Horse Industry. The first concern was voiced when The top stallion in the in the 1997 Inspections was let out of the country. In the book on King Of Diamonds by Nicholas O'Hare, O'Hare said "There was a measure of consternation in the Irish Draught World in the spring of 1997 when it was learned that a son of Glidawn Diamond which had scored the highest comformation marks in the inspections of that year had been sold to the United States." As many a horse buyer knows Europe is famous for keeping its top stallions in Europe. With that concept it is believed the American buyer of serious sport horses will have to travel to Europe.
With the stallion O'Leary's Irish Diamond now rated by many as the top Irish Draught Stallion in the world due to his own performance record and pedigree the Irish have a reason to be concerned. To counter that claim some of the stallion's detractors said "hold on, the true measure of a stallion is his offspring." So now that possibly the best six year old jumper in America is an American Bred by O'Leary's Irish Diamond the Irish have more reason to worry.
The Mare Diamond Elle owned by Brian Deitz of Little Rock Arkansas made the finals last year for the 5-year-old Championships. The mare placed 12th out of the best five year olds in the Eastern US. Brian Dietz is quick to point out that due to rider injuries the mare had three riders leading to the championship competition at the Hampton Classic. Deitz says that won't be the case this year. Already the mare has won three qualifying classes for the six year old championship. In two mini grand prixs, one being the $25,000 JANUARY JAZZ I GRAND PRIX the mare has had only time faults. Dietz and her trainer Dennis Murphy insist because of age, speed will not be emphasized. Diamond Elle pictured below is not the only offspring by O'Leary's Irish Diamond to be jumping well. At Spruce Meadows Jenny Carbonari Ford went clear with her 5-year-old gelding.
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