Ramiro B , the number two stallion on the World Rankings for sires of event horses in 2015, stands at the Harthill Stud in Cheshire. He is listed as the number one sire on the BE rankings (2015) for 4-8 yr old horses, with a good number of offspring coming through the ranks to keep him at the top of the WBFSH list.
His linage lists some of the best Belgian, Warmblood and Holstein jumping lines. Irish rider Edward Doyle produced this lovely stallion, his successes including winning the Indoor Spring Championships in Ireland as a 4 yr old; the Dublin 4yr old final; the Cavan 5yr old final (99), and winner of a 6/7 yr old class at Cavan in 2001. He has continued successfully in his competitive career and now stands at stud where he is proving a productive and effective stallion.
Horse Scout has several Ramiro B Connections, including Horses For Sale.
Irish Sports mare Violetta is ready to back, this 2013 Irish Sports Horse chestnut mare stands 16.00hh and is already looking very well made, standing well on her four legs. With Ramiro B as her sire and with Carnival Night on her Dams side she has exceptional jumping lines. With a view to a show jumping or eventing career in front of her she is 60% TB lending agility and speed to her good looks she is sure to do well.
Ramiro B has also sired a super young event horse who is for sale from Whinney Hill. Her producer, international rider James Adams, thinks she has the ability to really progress on the event circuit as she shows genuine ability and technique. At 15.2hh she is a good height for a rider coming off ponies or an adult looking for a smaller ride but who still has all the scope.
Cooley Master (v. Ramiro B) is campaigned by Oliver Townsend who describes this horse as super talented. Find out more about Ollie Townsend’s competition horses on Horses Scout and keep in touch by following his progress.
Grafenstolz at listed on Select Stallions Profile has a biography as long as your arm. Standing for a very reasonable €900.00 he represents excellent value. He is certainly a very popular stallion with Horse Scout s profiled professional producers. He has five offspring listed on the Horse Scout for sale pages.
About the stallion at stud Grafenstolz
Awarded premium status by the Trakehner Verband. In 2000, as a two year old campaigning in both show jumping, eventing and dressage arena Grafenstolz become the first horse ever to qualify for the finals of the stallion testing in jumping, eventing and dressage all in the same year as a 6 year old. Proving his breeding versatility. He later, in the same year proved himself again by winning the World Championships for young event horses in france and then as a seven year old wining his first advanced event. He went on to win bronze at eight in the Gernam championships and was placed twice at international 3* competitions also winning a 2*. Being awarded his verband status in 2006. He continued to event successfully but also made ripples in the show jumping arena with his fantastic puissance attempt clearing 2 meters (just under 7 feet). As if this was not enough he then took to the Dressage circuit achieving 69% and winning his first Grand Prix!
HIs first UK crop took top Elite scores including an all time record in 2010, with an average of High First Premium he has to be anyones choice for top class competition genetics. Of ten finalists that year five young horses where by Grafenstolz, he followed this the next year again breaking the record for Elite scores.
Grafenstolz stamps his progeny with superb good looks, athleticism and the best movement – indeed indeed Select Stallions endorse his stock as “picture perfect copies of their father”
Connections to Grafenstolz on Horse Scouts Horses for Sale listings and in our professionals profiled pages.
In Yorkshire there is On N Over, who has bred her own foal. Described as working well on the flat and showing an excellent technique over a fence, Jolyse Bell-Syer, her producer in North Yorkshire says her grid work, is true and she happily tackles courses and even more tricky questions such as skinnies and corners. Described as having an excellent attitude to her work and a lovely horse to handle and work with she is marketed at £10,000.
Another attractive Grafenholz youngster also born in 2013 is the British Sports Horse Stx Treacle Toffee. As can be seen from his profile picture he is compact and powerful, Vicky Laing his producer describes him as kind natured and good to do and a comfortable ride with good easy paces. A perfect prospect for British Young Event Horse with an eye to an eventing career.
A younger 16.2hh 3 year old by Grafenholz, Faerie Mikado is also listed on Horse Scouts Horses for Sale pages, she is well handled and described as bred to event with a dam by Mayhill and is for sale through Trisha Rickards who also has a Royaldik 3 year old for sale too listed on Horse Scout.
These are all lovely horses for sale but Grafenstolz offspring are also proudly listed by their campaigners and Charlotte Agnew based on Gloucestershire also has a very good-looking Grafenholz gelding who is now 7. Use this link to find out more about this lovely horse.
Grafestolz Gelding for sale on Horse Scout
Quality Homebred Grafenstolz mare for Sale on Horse Scout
Super 3 year old by Grafenstolz also for sale on Horse Scout
Grafenstolz is also listed at stud with The Stallion Company here
Horse Scout are Talking to Ibby Macpherson, International Event Rider, Northamptonshire
If you haven’t heard of Ibby Macpherson, it’s only a matter of time… A talented event rider who recently finished 5th at Branham CCI***, she tells Horse Scout why William Fox Pitt gave her a top horse, why she spent her inheritance money on a hydrotherapy spa and why she’s launched a new innovative event horse syndicate opportunity.
How did you learn to ride?
I think it was on a sheep! My parents owned a pedigree black sheep farm in Scotland.
Have you worked for anyone famous?
After competing in the Junior Europeans in 1999 and 2000, a few years later I became stable jockey for William Fox Pitt and his team. William, Alice and Granny Potts (William’s long-time head girl) are fantastic to work for, and they are still great friends today. I was lucky enough to school and jump all of the horses when William wasn’t at home and competed some of his young horses.
And William Fox Pitt gave you a horse?
Yes, I am incredibly lucky to have been given Igor De Cluis who was 8th at Le Lion D’Angers as a seven-year-old with William. I could never have afforded such a top class horse but he didn’t stand up to the pressure — soundness wise — at that level with William. I am eternally grateful to Judy and Jeremy Skinner and Margie and David Hall who owned him and gave me the opportunity. I had to be really fussy where I ran him, and made sure that he had hydrotherapy once or twice a day to keep him on the road, but he took me around a few three star events including Blenheim and Boekelo.
So tell us about your top horses now.
I don’t have many horses at the moment but the ones I do have are competitive at their relevant levels.
Ballingowan Diamond (Monty) is a 12-year-old, 16.2hh chestnut gelding (Welcome Diamond out of Phardante mare) with 329 BE points. Monte came fifth at the CCI*** Bramham this year; fourth in the CIC*** at Chatsworth 2016; and third at Hartpury CIC*** in 2015. I’m aiming him at either Burghley or Blenheim this autumn and hopefully Badminton in spring 2017.
Ballingowan Echo is another 12-year-old who is equally as talented but frustratingly we have had a few silly blips and his personality is very different… a bit more complex…. He has been quite competitive and won a few OIs. I’d like to take him around a CIC three star at the end of this year.
Evantos K is a 16.3hh seven-year-old gelding that I’ve had since he was four having bought him from Claire Robertson at Retreat Farm Stud. He has got it all… He’s a fantastic mover and a really scopey jumper. He’s Dutch with around 48% thoroughbred in him, so I think he has enough blood… I’m excited about him, but he is big and weak and is going to take time to mature and strengthen up. He has won four novices and was second in the CIC* at Rockingham. He was really good in his first intermediate at Aston but he is going to have a couple of months’ training at home aiming for hopefully Osberton seven-year-old CIC**.
Deoch an Doris. Dorisis a very special to me! He is 13-year-old 16.1hh black gelding with a very big sense of humour. He’ll be with me for life — he was given to me by Jock Mcfarlane whose wife Mary trained me for a long time when I lived in Scotland. Doris was her dressage horse and after a long battle with cancer Mary sadly died. He is very naughty sometimes in the dressage arena adding some freestyle moves here and there but he is an incredibly powerful jumper with a fabulous technique. He’s 13 now but it’s taken his body time to adjust from being ridden on a surface to galloping and jumping on grass. He is a much admired ‘pocket rocket’ and I there is a lot to come!
Fread Needle is a 16.3hh five-year old gelding. He is out of Golden Needle by Bollin Terry, bred by my sister Rose and has done some BE100s this year, coming third at one. I don’t like doing lots with four and five-year-olds… I believe that quite a few horses don’t reach their full potential because they are pushed too young and their brains and/or bodies can’t cope with it. I’d rather they were slower starters and did more later on in life.
So do you compete any horses that you don’t own?
Yes, Dungeon Hill is a 16.3hh nine-year old gelding that I ride for Fee Wilson, in Dorset. I have a couple of spaces for some more horses to ride, but want to fill them with the right ones!!
What’s the aim of your new scheme, the Picnic Partnership?
I’m lucky because I own some lovely horses, but I cannot afford to keep and compete them all without some support. This new initiative not only helps me keep competing my horses, but it also enables people to get involved in the sport without committing to vast amounts of money and unexpected expenses. The initiative — which costs £400pp a month — enables members to have an interest in four horses from BE100 to four star (CCI****). They can come and watch training sessions and support us at competitions. I have a catering company which supplies a picnic for every event members go to — with wine! It’s a great opportunity because with four horses at various levels, there’s always something going on and it’s a fantastic chance to visit some fabulous venues throughout Britain.
Who do you train with?
Nigel Taylor and Fred Bergendorff (jumping); Andrew Fletcher and Hillary Westropp (flat); John Pitt helps as a performance manager; and Danielle Olding is a sports psychologist/life coach whom I find really helpful. I also do lots of Pilates with Tina Sheridon — it’s really helped to strengthen my riding over the last year making me more aware of my posture.
How do you keep your horses sound and happy?
In terms of soundness, they all go in the hydrotherapy spa regularly as I have one here on site (I run an equine hydrotherapy spa business — see next week’s blog) and they’re also taken to a nearby water treadmill once a week which I think is very beneficial for their core strength and keeping them supple without putting pressure on their limbs. I’m also a firm believer in the Activo-Med range, particularly the pulse electromagnet massage therapy rug. My horses all live out at night from mid-March until the beginning of November (weather dependent). I think this is a good way to keep them happy in their heads and the constant movement maintains the suppleness in their bodies. I think it also helps to alleviate problems like gastric ulcers.
Why Horse Scout?
The horse sales side of it is clever but it’s also a very exciting equestrian initiative enabling industry networking at the highest level.
Interview by Sam Lewis
Ibby Macpherson Eventing and Equine Hydrotherapy on Horse Scout
Two Show Jumpers by Cicero listed for sale on Horse Scout
Cicero a stallion with some of the greats in his breeding line has had, not only had olympic success himself but his progeny, whilst still young, are showing themselves as extremely competitive i.e. Galisco van Paemel, Cyrano d’Orbri, Cinderella C, Fenia van Klapscheut and Ciska van Paemel Z were all jumping Grand Prix at 8 and on Cicero’s dams side Rendez Vouz (v. Radel Z) there the superstars of the show jumping world too. Cornet Obolensky, (one of the great stallions at stud on Horse Scout) Vivaldo en Querido vh Costersveld, Lorrain Z – With blood lines like this and obvious success in the ring already these two horses for sale on Horse Scout must surely have a future ahead of them in the competitive arena.
The older of the two jumpers came to David Simons (DLS Showjumping) already showing promise at 1.40 but needing more experience. David has gone on to produce a show stopper with this lovely grey gelding advertised on Horse Scout under horses for sale who has proven himself this year with a sixth at the Allington CS12* grand prix and by jointly winning the CS14* Puissance (see image) at the Bolesworth International. This handsome well made show jumper, Cicero Gotti, also took 8th in the Hickstead Derby and is ranked as Grade C jumping 1.40m+. David Simpson, the Irish International Show Jumper, produces horses with his wife Louise from their yard in Coolham, where they have excellent trial facilities.
Another Cicero offspring for sale on Horse Scout is a stunning mare x Oklund called Dice. (See here) Advertised on Horse Scout Horses for Sale pages as a very suitable straightforward competitive horse for a teenager of someone coming off ponies, a testament to a good temperament. Currently jumping new comers he is described as brave, bold and careful. This mare is good to hack alone or in company and has three lovely paces.
Ever thought of giving polo a try? Hazel Jackson says it’s easier than you think.
What’s your greatest achievement?
Captaining the English ladies side and beating Argentina on home ground at the High Goal Ladies International in Cirencester in June 2016.
How did you get into polo?
When I was a kid at a local pony club along with my brother and sister and hand-me-down horses.
How old were you when you decided to make it your career?
At the age of 19, after I finished college, I went to work and play in New Zealand (Hawkes Bay, North Island) for six months. Then I did three seasons in Cheshire, with the winters in Argentina. It was hard work, but in Argentina I managed to get a really good job for a lady, Hana Grill, and I’m still working for her now.
Where do you spend most of your time… the UK or abroad?
I spend about four months a year in Argentina, around six in England and around two playing tournaments in other countries such as Barbados, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Texas and sometimes Africa.
It all sounds quite glamourous.
Yes, it is… Polo tournaments are always in stunning locations and there’s a fair bit of money involved.
Where is your favourite place to play polo?
I love Barbados. There are three main polo clubs (plus private fields on top), the people are really hospitable and the horses are lovely. Next year I get to go there twice, for the annual Battle of the Sexes tournament and a ladies tournament as well.
What is the most difficult thing about playing polo?
Getting the money to buy a decent string of horses — and it’s expensive to keep them, too.
How many horses do you own?
I run a string of eight but I only own three… My boss here — Roger White of Coombe Place at Overton Farm, Sway, New Forest — gives me five. You ideally need own your own string.
So how much do you have to pay for a decent polo pony?
Anywhere from £5,000 up to £200,000, with an average good horse costing £10k-£15k.
You could get an older horse (they’re at their peak at around eight to nine years old) with a few injuries for cheaper, or get one off the race track and retrain it.
What qualities do you look for in a polo pony?
We like them to be around 15.2hh and tend to go for the Irish and English thoroughbreds. A polo pony needs to be fast, very agile and have a good mouth so that it stops dead and works from the back end. We also like them to be ‘grunty’ — solid and powerful, capable of sustaining a few bashes in a ride off.
Is there one horse that stands out?
Isla, who’s based in England — she’s getting on a bit but she’s a machine.
You rarely travel horses abroad in polo, is it difficult to ride horses that you’ve never ridden before?
No. They’re really well trained and, as I typically ride five horses a game, I must have ridden hundreds of horses since I was 19, it’s natural.
Why so many horses?
Polo is incredibly demanding and strenuous on a horse which is why one horse is only officially allowed to play two chukkas with a break in between. I’d take five horses and try to ride five minutes on each horse. At the top tournaments in Argentina, some players would take 12-14 horses to a game with just three minutes on a horse before a break to get the best out of them.
That’s a lot of horses to keep fit…
Yes I can ride seven or eight horses a day singling (one at a time). They’re schooled to keep them finely tuned, but it’s common to ride one and lead up to four when you’re doing cardio work (45-60 minutes of walking and trotting). I’m doing that at the moment, while I’m chatting to you…
And what else do you do get them ready to compete?
The day before a game — and sometimes even on the morning of game days — we give them 10 minutes flat out for a change of air.
How do you improve your game?
My boyfriend, Ivan Gaona, an Argentinian polo player, has taught me a lot. I have also gained a lot watching video feedback of matches and taking advice from different people. Stick and ball practicing is essential and playing with players that are much better than me helps.
And is it a level playing field for men and women?
General men are naturally stronger and that gives them a slight advantage but, in general, it’s to do with the horses… it depends how well mounted you are.
What’s your ultimate goal?
To own a solid string of horses and to be one of the best female players in the world playing any 15 or 18 goal tournament.
What would you say to others considering to give polo a try?
It’s great fun and much more accessible than people think. And if you’re willing to work hard, it’s a great profession. There are plenty of schools around with safe horses, but beware… it’s very addictive!
And you’re 26, do you have to be young?
Obviously it’s good to be fit, but you can learn the sport when you are older and I think the oldest polo player is in their eighties!
Why Horse Scout?
The social media side is great, that you can follow other riders and horses.
Interview by Sam Lewis, Horse Scout inhouse Journalist & PR, August/September 2016
About Horse Scout
Find out more about polo and Hazel Jackson [[link to profile page]]
Louis says this horse has been working easily and correctly on the flat and is a promising future star on the competition circuit.
His bloodlines have created a well made jumping horse who is finding his job effortless and his bold approach is taking him well over fences.
A happy horse, easy to do stands well for the farrier and to be clipped, hacks out and makes your life easy by walking onto the lorry.
Zilversat T is a grand prix jumping stallion who took his place in the Olympic Arena this year and his jumping successes this year show just what a talented horse he is:
Glock International Show Jumping Glock’s Grand Prix 1.60m – 4th
Jumping Bourg en Bresse Grand Prix de la ville de Bourg en Bresse 1.60m – 3rd
Global Champions Tour GNP Seguros 1.50m – 1st
Global Champions Tour American Invitational 1.55m -3rd
CHI Al Shaqab Grand Prix 1.60m – 5th
VR Classics Performance Sales International 1.50m – 6th
Prestige Cup Zilveren Spoor Class 58 1.40m – 2nd
Concorde is a double purity for talent on his Dams side for three years Concorde has been listed as the stallion at stud with the most offspring at World Breeding Championships for young horses. Making this young horse for sale a popular choice…and with good reason. Concorde is a stallion who is also very popular with other Horse Scout profiled professional producers. Aaron Millar likes a horse with Concerned Breeding (see Horse Scout blog here)
Horse Scout hosts some of the top breeders and producers in the UK and internationally. If you are looking for a Horse for Sale Horse Scout is undoubtedly the place to start.
Louise Anne Bell – International dressage rider and working hunter champion
Banbury, Oxfordshire
Not content with winning the Supreme Working Hunter Champion title 15 times at the Royal International Horse Show, Louise Bell turned her focus to dressage four years ago and now competes for Great Britain.
How did you get involved with working hunter classes?
I was around 17 and into eventing when I started to work for Daphne Wyatt who was into showing. Eventing was expensive and I discovered that I found showing easier and could be successful — I actually produced a horse of hers which she sold on and it went on to become Junior European champion!
What advice would you give to someone trying to make a similar transition?
Come to someone like me for help rather than muddle your way through! And make sure you have a quality horse — one that’s nearly a good flat show horse but has a good enough jump for a working hunter show class.
Any tips to impress the judges?
In showing, as the round isn’t timed you don’t need to jump a course quickly. You want to ride a rhythmical, flowing clear round that’s also stylish — and your horse must ride for a stranger. Be confident, stay focussed and walk your course as you would ride it.
Do you favour any specific bits or tack?
In showing you can use any number of bits, it doesn’t matter, just use what’s best for the horse.
How did you get into dressage?
I’ve always loved flatwork that’s why my show horses go so well. So when Horse & Hound asked me to take part in a swapping discipline challenge with Michael Eilberg I was really keen. But I soon discovered that dressage is a huge undertaking and I had to accept that I didn’t know anything and start from scratch.
What was the most difficult part of dressage for you personally?
Establishing the contact. In showing we want the lightest contact — as a lot of judges who get on won’t pick up a contact your horses have to go well without it. But I soon learnt that in order to get a horse engaged and going correctly you need a good contact. I went through phases of my contact being too strong and now it’s much lighter again. You have to learn how to use your body and your hands independently. It’s so difficult but awesome once you get it.
You must enjoy it — and are clearly good at it — as you made your small tour debut just two years after the challenge?
I get as much buzz out of dressage as jumping, if not more, and love doing things such as one-time changes. I guess I’m addicted to the training and the special bond it creates, probably because of the hours you have to put in! There’s so much attention to detail in everything that you do with dressage — the horse has to understand you in every way. It’s so intense.
Louise Anne Bell how did your two star working hunters — W Get Smart and Into the Blue — take to the transition to dressage?
I’ve had Into the Blue (Dynamo) since he was three and he’s now 10. He is adorable but demanding — a bit of a pre-madonna and very opinionated. Dynamo found dressage very hard at the start as he’s very spooky… As he finds everything a little too easy, I have to challenge his mind in ways not to indulge his spook! But once he has understood something he will try and please you… and maybe pop in a spook after! He loves one time changes, piaffe, and passage.
So he’s clearly doing well…
Yes… he’s now getting 70% at Inter 2 (and has qualified for nationals at Inter 2), is competing at PSG and will compete at Grand Prix in the autumn.
He won his first advanced at Hartpury few years ago, was second in Valencia and third in Saumur this year (medium tour) and fourth in Barcelona and Mallorca last year (small tour).
And W Get Smart?
He’s the 13-year-old Dutch-bred son of Pythagoras and out of a KWPN mare called Hester whose grandfather is Blakeney, a TB racehorse… He’s a real pleaser, but he sometimes takes control and being nearly 18 hands you can understand why he should really belong to a guy!
He found taking on dressage very easy winning both regional champs and winter champs in medium and advanced medium, but keeping him in self carriage is hard for me although he’s getting very good at it now — the advanced work in piaffe passage has helped him massively.
He’s currently not far behind Into the Blue and competing at Inter 2, coming ninth in Deauville recently.
Do you have any other horses?
I also have another young horse, Zack-ki Rosenlund, who is seven years old. He’s dressage bred but has jumping lines on mother side (Landgraf). I’m hoping he’ll do PSG next year small tour.
So you’re clearly more of a dressage rider than working hunter girl now?
I devote most of my time to dressage but I’m still a part time working hunter rider. My working hunter Catch the Beaver has now qualified for HOYs in the working hunters and recently won me my tenth National Supreme Working Hunter Championship, following in the great footsteps of my legends of the past — Rocky IV, Out of Sight, Cruise C and Cracker — who also won this title on more than one occasion.
You clearly have an eye for a good horse. What do you look for? (when buying a horse)
Temperament, but it’s also got to have presence…. a ‘look at me’ element.
The rest I can work on. It’s also got to have a great walk and great canter.
Any favourite dressage bloodlines?
No. Into the blue is jumping bred (by John Whitaker).
Who do you train dressage with now?
Michael Eilberg once a week. He jumped before he got into dressage so he’s understood me as a rider from day one.
What tips did he give you?
Listen… and do what i say!
And your ultimate goal?
Tokyo 2020. I can’t win medal in working hunter so maybe it’s meant to be dressage.
And why an ambassador for Horse Scout?
It’s a classy website with detailed information on horses and riders. It’s also a fantastic tool for us riders to get our work seen by the public and also great for transparency for buying and selling top quality horses.
Interview by Sam Lewis for Horse Scout
Louise Anne Bell talks to Horse Scout about Selling Top Class working Hunters
Horse Scout Talks to Louise Anne Bell top class Working Hunter Producer and International Dressage Rider
Find out more about Horse Scout Ambassador Louise Anne Bell
Jumping Mare already taking significant ribbons: 2015 Millstreet 4yr Discovery Reserve Champion and, this year, 2016 Millstreet 5yr Old Finalist
For Sale on Horse Scout
Home bred 5 year old jumping mare with a respectable purse of over £300 and recent 5* vetting. She currently jumping 1.25m and her Irish breeders andante producers have lightly competed her through 4 and 5 year old classes. She has the scope to easily step up into 1,30m classes and they are confident of her ability to come through very well as a six year old.
This attractive mare shows a ‘will do’ attitude to her work and has shown herself as careful and very genuine with lots of scope to progress in the years ahead. She will make someone a wonderful competition prospect for the coming season.
She is expected to make 16hh so would be suitable for the smaller rider looking for a genuine jumping horse for sale.
Vivendi Time certainly has the performance breeding to back her obvious breeding:
Her Sire is Ars Vendi (Accord II) and her dam is by Trytime, (v. Numero Uno, World Ranked top 10 sires for 10 years) a very successful sire in the Irish Jumping scene who only covered 50 mares.
Did you know that Horse Scout hosts many top professional producers our mainstream breeders and gives you access to the top class competition horses for sale and breeding stallions at stud from around the world. If you are looking to buy a horse or breed your own Horse Scout is the best place you could be looking.
Zazou Snow: A striking Novice Event Horse, with considerable scope to progress, is for sale through Aaron Millar from his yard Aaron Millar Eventing at Court Farm in Dorset, and also advertised on the Horse Scout Horses For Sale pages. This bold gelding with a careful but scopey jump has been producing consistently across country. Aaron says that he has a super temperament and is very easy to do, always a bonus when with the Farrier or being clipped! He is a happy versatile horse who is as happy living out as in and has proved popular on Aarons yard. A great choice as a mother daughter share or for a teenager who is coming off ponies. He is fit, ready to compete and ready for his next five star home.
By Concorde, this flea bitten grey thoroughbred X is the perfect size as a mother daughter share of for the smaller rider, standing at 16hh he is connected to three of Horse Scouts Stallions at Stud namely:
Nameless Rstanding for The Stallion Company and for Select Stallions so feel free to look at these horses through either this link or this one.
Aaron also has another lovely coloured horse, April Shower, who is also 16hh and is currently ridden by a light weight girl so a viewing of both horses would give potential buyers the choice. This young mare is snaffled mouthed in all three phases and has been XC schooling and has hunted in for a season Ireland and completed some training shows. this attractive 5 year old has three smart paces making her a dream horse for a competitive teenager and an easy ride for Mum!
Eoin Gallagher, The Irish international show jumper, based in Lincoln talks to Horse Scout about producing top class young horses and his dream to ride for his country.
How did you get into show jumping?
I’m actually not from an equestrian background at all… Born in County Down, I’m from a Gaelic footballing family, but as I was seriously ill with meningitis when I was seven, I was too weak to play. My next door neighbour went to pony lessons so I ended up tagging along. One day he stopped going. I never did…
What are your biggest achievements since then?
As a Junior I managed to get on a few trips to England with some good results, then a bursary to train with Stephen Hadley followed on from that. I was National Inter Varsity champion in Ireland when I attended Ulster university, before securing a full-time job with Dermott Lennon.
This year I had a couple of 2nds at a CSI 3-star show in Lanaken, Belgium, with Corbeagh Luxor in the 1.45m classes. More recently I have won a few 1.40m classes on the national circuit with horses I have produced from a young age.
Tell us about Corbeagh Luxor
He’s an 11-year-old, 16.2hh gelding — Irish bred (Corbeagh Vella x Lux Z (KWPN)).
I only began riding him this year and had some of the best results after just two months. He is scopey but like many Irish, easy to ride. Due to the success at Lanaken and various placings, he’s just been sold. I’m disappointed to no longer be able to compete him but he has a promising future with his new owners.
So you prefer riding Irish-bred horses?
Most Irish horses are fun and straight forward.
Some of the Continentals are more talented but take more figuring out to get better results.
So do you breed and if so what?
I just started breeding with my mare Loughview Diamond Lux (half sister to Loughview Lou Lou) as she unfortunately got injured earlier in the year. I picked the stallion Action Breaker (son of Heartbreaker) — a KWPN. I chose Action Breaker as I was very impressed by his jumping technique, his attitude and rideability. His qualities compliment my mares very well.
Tell us about some of your other horses.
Lord Luidam is an 8-year old, 16.3hh gelding (Luidam x Northern Madera) who belongs to my wife. We’ve had him since he was five, and this year he stepped up to 1.40m classes, winning the Nottinghamshire County Show in May.
Illustro De Laubry is an 8-year-old, 16.2hh gelding (Beverly VD Heffinck out of Uganda De Laubry x Darco) who I ride for Sophie Marsh and her family and is jumping up to 1.30m.
Laroc is a 7-year-old German-bred gelding, also owned by the Marsh family. I’ve only had him for six months and I’m producing him slowly, giving him time to mature. He won a 1.30m class at Messingham Show recently.
Finally, Quontum, an 8-year-old gelding owned by Melanie Davison, is here for the summer.
What is your goal this year and beyond?
Longterm it’s every rider’s goal to ride for their country and if that opportunity arises I’ll grab it.
I’ve never really had any long-term campaigners at a higher level because the 8-year-olds get sold on and I’ve always had slightly younger (5,6,7 year olds) to produce.
For now, I’ll continue to build a strong team of horses and maintain good relationships with their owners to help keep moving the business forward.
You’ve have a lot of experience training young horses — any tips?
Be patient! It’s very easy to get disillusioned as they can be challenging and keep you guessing. When I was younger I was guilty of thinking of the next show and not thinking about a year down the line… I guess I’ve grown to learn it’s not always about tomorrow but the longterm, particularly with the young ones. In terms of their weekly schedule, like any of my horses they get a day off every week and turnout every day in the paddock. More time (eg three sessions a week) will be spent on flatwork than jumping and I find lunging on the pessoa can help too.
Do you train with someone?
Not often enough. If I am struggling with something, I’ll go to Dermot Lennon.
He helped me last summer and a couple of little things made a huge difference. By letting his head down a bit and lengthening and shortening the trot and canter, the horse gained more strength and started working better.
What are your top tips for buying a show jumper?
Don’t make any rash decisions and, if you are not sure, ask someone you respect.
A lot of riders are confident in their own ability and think they can make a horse better, but it’s easier to have a good horse and let it teach you, than try to make a bad one into a good one.
What’s the best tip you’ve ever been given?
If you always do what you always did you always get what you always got.
I think that applies to life, not just horses.
Another good bit of advice, I think by 2006 World Champion Jos Lansink, is that when things go wrong go back to the basics.
Who else has inspired you?
Growing up… Eddie Macken, who is retired now.
More recently, Scott Brash has been an inspiration to whole industry — someone the same age as me beating the guys who have been around for generations…
I also admire John Whitaker at the highest level.
Why Horse Scout?
I liked it from the moment I saw it. It’s great that there is somewhere that targets more elite horse sales and the social/connections side of Horse Scout is so different from any other equestrian website — it’s cool that someone has finally thought outside the box!
Interview by Sam Lewis
Eoin Gallagher International Show Jumper Listed on Horse Scout
Horse Scout talks to Eoin Gallagher, international Irish horse producer
How Horse Scout Connects You To The Best.
Horse Scout is dedicated to Sharing information about its professionals and the quality stallions listed at stud.
Listed on the Horse Scout Horses For Sale pages he has two fabulous competition horses for sale, one of whom Illustro de Laubry is a Belgian Warmblood has already won several fox hunter classes and qualified for Newcomers, who also has Darco breeding, is by Bently Van De Heffinck listed on our Stallions at Stud pages by The Stallion Company. We have a blog about Bentley Van De Hefflink which you can read here.
His second horse listed Lord Luidam, a star in the making this horse is already competing at Grand Prix. Eoin has produced him since he was five and is justifiably proud of this lovely horse.
