8 Irish Horses to Follow in 2026

As the start of the season approaches, we can expect more big results from these eight horses ridden by Irish riders:

World Championship Contenders

These four are some of Ireland’s top Elo rated horses. The data predicts that they could be useful players at the World Championships.

Elo is a rating system that tracks how strong a horse’s results are over time. The Elo rewards horses who consistently tackle tough competition and deliver when it matters most. The number is constantly changing. Elo reveals sustained excellence.

Colorado Blue (Elo: 808)

Rider: Austin O’Connor

Double Olympian and five-star winner, the now 17-year-old, Colorado Blue has truly captured the hearts of the nation. Consistent performances at the top level over the last few years have resulted in him achieving the highest ever Elo rating for an Irish horse. And, he is currently the seventh highest Elo rated horse in the world. These record statistics come off the back of an impressive 2025 season, including two podium finishes at CCI5*-L, placings which gave Colorado Blue the best Irish High Performance Rating’s (HPR) of the year (101 & 102).

Pomp N Circumstance (Elo: 665)

Rider: Padraig McCarthy

Pomp N Circumstance finished out his 2025 season with a top 12 at the European Championships in Blenheim, helping Team Ireland to win a silver medal. This honourable performance came off the back of a seventh place at Bramham CCI4*-L earlier in the year. He also secured a top 10 placing at the Boekelo Nations Cup final in 2024. At 12 years old, Pomp N Circumstance is in the prime of his career. 

MGH Zabaione (Elo: 664) 

Rider: Padraig McCarthy 

At just 10 years old, MGH Zabaione has already got four international wins to his name. Two of these wins have come at the four-star level. He won the CCI4* 8+9yo horses-S at Blenheim in 2024 and the CCI4*-L at Ballindenisk in spring 2025. His 2025 season was rounded out with an eighth place finish at the Nations Cup final in Boekelo, earning him a HPR of 96. MGH Zabaione has a clean cross-country jumping record at international level, albeit issues at the Nations Cup in Aachen last year. 

Grantstown Jackson (Elo:622)

Rider: Sarah Ennis

Grantstown Jackson brought his 2025 eventing season to a close with a seventh place finish at the Nations Cup final in Boekelo (HPR:97). Earlier in the year, he finished fifth at the Nations Cup in Aachen. He also clocked up three top 10’s at CCI4*-S level throughout the season. He has proved very consistent at the level. At 15 years old, he’s already got championship experience under his belt. Granstown Jackson finished in the top 20 at the 2023 European Championships in Le Pin au Haras.

Austin O’Connor is a five-star winner. Padraig McCarthy and Sarah Ennis were both on the silver medal winning team in Tryon. These four horses are being piloted by some of Ireland’s best riders. Will 2026 see them face the best in the world at Aachen or will they be eying up five-stars?

Rising Stars 

These four horses are some of Ireland’s top-rated 8 and 9-year-old horses according to Elo. 

Hildare Regarde Moi (Elo: 528)

Rider: Danielle McCormack

Hildare Regarde Moi currently holds the highest Elo rating for a 9-year-old Irish horse. His 2025 season concluded with a top 20 finish at Blenheim in the CCI4* 8+9yo horses-S class. He placed sixth in a CCI3*-L at Millstreet earlier last year. His showjumping record at international level is immaculate, having never knocked a pole.

Ballybolger Goldman (Elo: 442)

Rider: Sam Watson

The end of 2025 saw Ballybolger Goldman take home a top 20 result at the 7-year-old World Championships in Le Lion d’Angers. This, in addition to two top 10 finishes at CCI3*-S level throughout the season, have left him with the highest Elo rating for an Irish 8-year-old as he heads into the new year. He also earned a HPR of 90 (the best for an Irish 7-year-old last season) when he won the CCI2*-L at Ballindenisk in April.

Noa W (Elo: 432)

Rider: Ian Cassells

Noa W delivered a masterclass double clear at the 7-year-old World Championships in Le Lion d’Angers to take home the bronze medal. Now an 8-year-old, he has jumped double clear at all of his international events to date. 

Belline Castle ONR Candy (Elo: 419)

Rider: Patrick Byrne

From three runs at three-star level in 2025, Belline Castle ONR Candy finished in the top 10 every time, culminating with an eighth at the 7-year-old World Championships in Le Lion d’Angers. He will be contesting 2026 as an 8-year-old.

These younger horses are in the hands of experienced and on-form riders. Danielle McCormack jumped two double clears in Blenheim CCI4* 8+9yo horses-S at the end of 2025. Sam Watson was part of the team that medalled at Tryon in 2018. Ian Cassells won a medal at Blenheim and two at Le Lion d’Angers in 2025. Patrick Byrne had a top 10 finish at Le Lion. Could they be four-star prospects in 2026?

Whether they’re aiming for their first four-stars, World Championships or five-stars, there are plenty of Irish horses to get excited about for the 2026 season.

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