Cruising, one of the most successful and influential Irish sport horse sires ever, has died aged 29. He died peacefully at home at Hartwell Stud in Co Kildare on Sunday (7 September) in the same stable in which he was born.
By Sea Crest and out of Mullacrew, Cruising produced successful offspring in both eventing and showjumping.
Andrew Nicholson and Mr Cruise Control
His progeny includes eventers Mr Cruise Control, Mr Medicott and Electric Cruise, and showjumpers Flexible, Mo Chroi, World Cruise and Larkhill Cruiser.
The popular grey Irish was also a successful showjumper who, with rider Trevor Coyle, competed on many Nations Cup teams.
“Cruising gave me the greatest moments I’ve ever experienced in showjumping,” Trevor told H&H.
“I saw him at Dublin Horse Show last month (pictured top) and he looked amazing, so it was indeed very sad to hear he passed away. I will forever cherish those memories and will never forget him.
“Showjumping was his hobby, he really enjoyed it. Everywhere we went people loved him. It was an honour to be his partner. In the show ring he was a fighter and a winner — he always gave his best.”
He was owned by the McCann family (pictured right) and Hartwell Stud.
“Cruising was an amazing character and was fit and well up to his final day,” said Mary McCann. “He passed away peacefully in the stable he was born in.
“He was a lovely horse and had his own ideas about things. He was quite naughty as a youngster, and you could never get him within 500yards of a donkey, he couldn’t stand them.”
Mrs McCann told H&H her Cruising highlights were his grand prix win at Aachen and winning the young horse championship at Dublin.
“He has such a legacy,” she added. “I’m so proud hearing about all the good horses he’s bred worldwide. Just last week I saw Harbour Pilot going round Burghley on TV.”
She hasn’t ruled out cloning the stallion either.
“We have biopsies from him, so it’s still a possibility. It would be great if we could,” she added.
