Hideaway's Erin Go Bragh

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Erin Go Bragh was a Connemara stallion who competed in the sport of eventing at the highest level. Also known as "The Little Horse that Could", Erin Go Bragh stood 14.3 hands (59 inches, 150 cm).

Go Bragh was known not only for his athletic ability, which helped the little horse compete at the international level in the sport of eventing, but also for his great character, gentleness, and heart. Although smaller than most jumpers, he had great confidence, and would reportedly jump anything he was pointed at.

Remarkably, Go Bragh began his competitive career not in eventing but in pleasure driving, where he was very successful. After jumping a 5-foot jumper course, the great show jumper Anne Kursinski told his rider that the horse had talent.

Go Bragh began his eventing career, and won four events in a row at the Preliminary level in 1991—including the MCTA Horse Trials with its notorious cross-country—before taking 1st at the Ledyard Three-Day in 1992. By this time, he was also a proficient second-level dressage horse. As an Intermediate horse, the stallion won Fair Hill, before moving up to the Advanced level in 1995. His performance that year won him the AHSA Advanced Horse of the Year award for Zone II, and the USCTA's Connemara of the Year award, that same year.

After his success, Go Bragh was entered in the Radnor Three Day Event the following year. He was at a distinct disadvantage: all horses competing at the international level had to carry a minimum of 165 lb (75 kg) on cross-country (this rule was abolished by the FEI the following year). This meant that Go Braugh would have to carry an additional 40 lb (18 kg) of lead, despite his small size. The extra weight caught up to him. While galloping cross-country, after travelling 14 miles (22.5 km) for phases A & C and jumping a steeplechase course, he stepped in a depression in the ground three fences from home, tearing a suspensory ligament. Although the injury was not career-ending, he needed a year off to recover.

Go Bragh was retired at the age of 16, as the most winning stallion in eventing history in North America. He was officially retired at the Genesee Valley Hunt Race Meet, on October 9, 1999. He continued to breed mares at Hideaway Farm. Go Bragh died at age 30 in October 2013.^[1]

The stallion sired nearly 200 foals, and his get have been extremely successful.