I’VE been breeding horses here in Ardcolum, Arigna, Co Roscommon, since the 1970s.

A small farmer, I also worked for 30 years in Arigna coal mines in Derreenavoggy. We’d go to work in a lorry that would pass by the house, collecting the workers and, while it was hard work, it put butter on the bread.

My Ardcolum address has been included in the naming of horses here, including the late Ardcolum Duke and many of his offspring.

I always had a great interest in horses and, when I was growing up, I cannot remember a time when we did not have a donkey or pony at home.

Three of my children, Siobhan, Colm and Sarah, competed in show jumping during the 1980s and 1990s and Sarah went to Australia after completing the Irish National Stud management course.

Colm had a good pony called Midnight Runner, a real press button pony. I bought her in Cavan and later on, she went to Darragh Kerins.

1. Proudest moment as a breeder?

While I have bred a few stallions, the one that stands out for me would be Ardcolum Duke (TIH).

2. Favourite broodmare?

On a small farm in Co Roscommon, I was lucky enough to become the owner of Dangerous Lady (Clover Hill x Middle Temple), the dam of Ardcolum Duke. There was nothing dangerous about her, she was a pet to have around the place!

I bought her from her breeder Tom Fallon at the sales in Claremorris and she was also very successful during her show jumping career, having won the Grade D/E championship at Dublin Horse Show in 1995 with Padraig Judge.

3. Favourite bloodlines?

Traditional Irish – resilient, easy to work with and, in my experience, they have a lovely temperament.

4. Breeding traditional - is it a labour of love, a sense of duty, occasionally profitable or a mix of all three?

For me, it has been a labour of love. For full-time, large scale breeders - and the best of luck to them - there may be an emphasis on profitability.

For me, the journey as a small-time breeder has been a labour of love.

5. Best advice you ever got?

Be patient. If it’s for you, it won’t pass you by.

6. Best advice you would give?

Same as above. I have passed that advice on to many young people, who can be impatient to succeed. It doesn’t happen overnight, but you’ll get there.

7. It takes a team – who’s on yours?

I was very lucky to have a great team around me when Ardcolum Duke competed at national and international level. This team included his riders at various times: Shane Quinn, Victoria Golden and Shane Goggins.

A special word of gratitude goes to Billy Twomey and Kerry Finch [Duke’s groom] - you brought Ardcolum Duke around the world and ensured his comfort, health and safety at all times. And Kerry was always generous with Duke’s favourite treats!

I had the support of my family and many friends in the horse industry as Ardcolum Duke travelled the world to compete at international level. His story is as much theirs as mine.

Billy Twomey, Ireland competing on Ardcolum Duke during the Speed Stakes at the 2016 Dublin Horse Show \ Cody Glenn/Sportsfile

8. Apart from Ardcolum Duke, if you could have bred any other famous horse/pony, which one?

I’d find it hard to answer this one! It is a privilege to have bred a good one and there are so many ones I could pick, that would all have brought great pride to their breeders, so I will leave it at that.

9. 2024 and the Paris Olympics are on the horizon. Any medal predictions?

I’d say keep an eye on Sweden, but my heart and best wishes go to all the brilliant riders representing Ireland and I hope that they will return from Paris with medals.

Ireland is enjoying an excellent era of show jumping at the moment. I hope that this continues for years to come and that Traditional Irish bloodlines will feature, such as James Kann Cruz’s dam CSF Telly Cruz (Cruising x Clover Hill).

10. A special word of thanks.

I would particularly like to acknowledge Susan Finnerty, John Lynch, the Traditional Irish Horse Associaton (TIHA) and the Irish Horse Board, who were responsible for the first and latest articles published about Ardcolum Duke, thereby keeping his name on the map.

I was particularly honoured when the TIHA presented me with a Breeders Award in 2015 and then, a special presentation to Ardcolum Duke and myself in 2017. That presentation took place at the Dublin Horse Show, where both Duke and his dam Dangerous Lady had won.

Since the article about Ardcolum Duke’s death was published in The Irish Field last Saturday, I have been inundated with good wishes.

I’d like to sincerely thank all those who have contacted me about Duke, either in person or by phone or text. There were so many people involved with Ardcolum Duke since he was a young horse and they all have fond memories of him and his stock, who have his lovely temperament.

It really would be difficult to name everyone, but all I can say is a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you for your thoughtfulness.

Some enquired about his availability by AI and one thing that I am particularly thankful for, is that I had the foresight to harvest and store straws and these will be advertised for sale in the near future.

Ardcolum Duke gave me and my family years of joy and, for that, I will always be extremely grateful. He was always part of our family, I’m glad to know he was part of others.