MY grandfather, Bernard McLoughlin, and his brother, Jimmy, bred horses in Rathowen, Co. Westmeath. The horse gene must have skipped a generation, as my father, Kevin, and uncles didn’t inherit it! My great-grandfather, Jack Collum, bred horses in North Longford, not far from Ballinalee, this is where my mother, Eileen, got her love for horses.

Growing up, I was a member of the Westmeath Pony Club and competed in show jumping, eventing and triathlon. I hunted with the Longford Harriers from a young age, alongside my mother, and show jumped up to regional Grand Prix level (1.35m/1.40m).

Throughout my young rider career, I had success with horses such as Clabbystown Cairbre (TIH), Deep River Rock (ISH), Lissyegan Cruise Dream (TIH) and Diamond Flush (TIH).

In 2012, I was selected for the SJI Mackey Training Bursary, this involved a week-long training camp with coaches such as Francis Connors, Ian Fearon, Anna Dangerfield and Anne Marie Dunphy.

In my younger years, I worked with Susan McDonald of Kinard Stables. Several successful horses have come through Kinard, none less than Olympic team bronze medallist and 2014 Badminton winner, Paulank Brockagh. I also worked with Mel Clancy and his wife, Anne Gannon, breaking and producing young horses for sale; and for Martin Lynch, Middleton Park Racing Stables, trainer of Oscar Time, second and fourth in the English Grand National.

The TIH stallion Democrat is jointly-owned by myself and my neighbour Mark Condron. Christmas 2021, Thomas Quigley was in the yard collecting a mare and told me Democrat was for sale. This was the spark, which started the thought process as we had previously bred mares to Democrat and were very pleased with his foals.

We contacted Aaron Ross, his previous owner and, thankfully, we got a deal done. Democrat is a 1.45m international show jumper, he’s traditionally-bred by Simply Javlin out of the 1.40m show jumping mare Dunmull (Clover Echo). 55% blood, he is fully approved with Horse Sport Ireland and retired sound. Democrat has been very lucky for us and well supported by breeders.

I work for Charlie Burns Agri and Environmental Consultant, Granard and Grassland Agro fertiliser company. I visit farms, collecting soil samples and these samples are analysed in the lab. A nutrient management plan is formed, based on the results and this allows farmers to make informed decisions regarding the management of their farms and fertiliser purchases.

Diamond Flush (Diamond Serpent x Kings Servant), one of the horses competed by Finnian, who received a Mackey Training Bursary \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

1. Congratulations, a memorable 2023 for you?

2023 was a very busy year for us, we had a hectic show season, with Dublin and Clifden being our final goals. Dublin was a very proud moment for us to show our own home-bred, Democrat-sired gelding, Mo Bhuachaill Ban in the three-year-old lightweight class.

This was followed by an exceptional week at Clifden Pony Show, where Carla and Rathvaldron Bay Shadow produced a clear round in the four to six-year-old working hunter class on Friday and, on Saturday, he went on to top the sales at Clifden Connemara Pony Sales.

We then headed south to the Monart Sale with our three-year-old Democrat filly, Clabbystown Demo Girl, who found a new home in Germany. Carla really enjoyed her stay at the Monart Spa!

To finish off a fantastic year, Carla and I got married on December 30th at St Brigid’s Church, Ardagh, followed by the reception in The Rustic Inn, Abbeyshrule. Democrat even made a guest appearance in the churchyard for photos.

2. Proudest moment as a breeder?

Clabbystown Special Cruz (I’m Special x Cruising) qualifying for the RDS three-year-old loose jumping in 2021. He finished 10th at the final, where he was purchased by the McMunn/Reape duo. He is currently enjoying a successful show jumping career in South Carolina.

I also bred Our Rocky, by Deep River Rock (Cavalier x Clover Hill) out of the thoroughbred dam, Lalinde (Tiger Hill), the winner of the eventing section HSI foal championship qualifier at Tubberbride in 2019.

At the final, Our Rocky went on to take reserve champion to Parkmore Tyson with only a half point between them. Unfortunately, disaster struck and the dream was cut short when Our Rocky suffered a fatal field accident in the spring of 2021.

3. How many mares do you currently have?

I have six broodmares:

  • Inverlough (TIH), Welcome Flagmount x Ballinvella x Clover Hill. In-foal to Democrat (TIH).
  • Elusive Cool Lady (TIH), Elusive Emir x Coolcorron Cool Diamond. In-foal to Paris Blue (AES).
  • Kieltys Lucky Penny (TIH), Lock Key x Lightening Diamond. In-foal to Moonlight Silver Shadow (CP).
  • Seafield (TB), Slade Power x Lomitas. In-foal to Democrat (TIH).
  • Kasanta (KWPN), Tyson x Nimmerdor x Le Val Blanc. In-foal to Democrat (TIH).
  • Minni Mouse (CP), Robe Champ x Teach Mor Knight x Rebel Star. In-foal to Currabawn Rambo (CP).

    • Dermott Lennon is amongst the spectators watching Democrat and Kenneth Graham in action \ Laurence Dunne jumpinaction.net

    4. Describe your regime for keeping mares/youngstock?

    Broodmares are kept out all year-round and foaled outside. I believe mares are happier, healthier and fitter outside.

    Eight weeks before foaling, I start feeding meal and this will continue until the foals are weaned. Foals spend the first winter indoors in groups. Yearlings are outwintered, rising three-year-olds are stabled individually where they’re handled and the breaking process started.

    5. 2024 - what do you think are the greatest challenges facing traditional sport horse breeders?

    Getting Irish riders to ride Irish horses, especially in show jumping. The TIHA has a plan in place promoting blacktype mares producing TIH foals. This plan is in the early stages and will take a number of years to come to fruition. However, the TIHA is a small group of volunteers working on a limited budget.

    If real progress is to be made, more support is needed from the Irish Horse Board, Horse Sport Ireland and the Department of Agriculture.

    6. Which famous horse would you like to have bred?

    James Kann Cruz. In my opinion, he’s the best show jumper in the world. Everything looks easy to him. We’re very proud of the Longford horse! (He had a Longford owner - the Gannons - from foal to nine years old).

    7. It takes a team, who’s on yours?

    My wife Carla and I; Mark and Bernie Condron; Gerard Butler, our relief stallion man (who also served his time at Kinard Stables); my brother Conor and Carla’s parents, who do weekend duty when we’re away at shows or sales.

    We’re very lucky to have three excellent equine vets in our immediate area: Peter McCann and Stephen McGrath from Park Veterinary, Ballymahon and Paudie O’Reilly from Mullingar Equine.

    8. Favourite app/website?

    FEI TV, Global Champions TV, Badminton TV. These livestreams allow me to keep up with the action from home when I’m unable to attend the event in person. It’s a pity we don’t get more equine coverage on national TV.

    9. Best advice you ever got?

    Francis Connors told me, “Assess the young horse, make a decision and stick with it. Hopefully, as a seven or eight-year-old, the horse will reward you and prove you made the correct decision”.

    The late Harold McGahern once told me, “Breed for yourself first. If the horse is good enough, people will want to buy him”.

    10. Best advice you would give?

    Judge the horse, not the page. Too many people get hung up about the page and what the ancestors have done. None of this matters, if the horse in front of you can’t jump.

    To quote Harold once more, “Cassius Clay had many brothers, how many were world champion boxers?”