BORN and living in Leap in West Cork, I’m married to Ann. We have three children: Darren, Jennie and Richie and four grandchildren: Lily, Ella, Sophie and Caoimhe.

A plasterer by trade, there were always horses in my family. It’s in the blood. My first introduction to ponies was going to the creamery with a 13.2hh pony.

I took an interest in Welsh ponies and started showing them in the early ‘90s and I later stood two Welsh stallions – Barrera Duke of Windsor and Highland Renoir. From 2000 on, I started dabbling my hand in some Connemaras and I suppose here we are!

1. Tell us how the Droumleap line started.

I started off going to the creamery with a pony and cart, so the interest was always there. Over 20 years ago, I went to the Cork Horse and Pony Sales held in Pairc Ui Chaoimh and bought Muskerry Crusader, a 13hh black Welsh Section B.

He was bred by the late Jane Quinlan from Ladysbridge and was by Muskerry Bluesmoke and out of a mare called Bushmere Crystal. I showed him under saddle, finishing second out of 18 in a class in Dublin.

In terms of breeding, I bred Droumleap Princess over 20 years ago, a part-bred Welsh out of a mare called Little Blue and by a pony Dan Brien had in Berrings, called Rowquest Blaze Over Western Rivers. I showed her successfully, winning a yearling class of 16 in Midleton. She was a lead rein pony for my daughter and, later in time, went on to England.

2. Proudest moment as a breeder?

Thankfully, lots of good days to pick from, but my favourite is probably winning at the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden in 2018 with Cashes Beauty, a colt foal by Currachmore Cashel and out of my Robe Earl mare Active Beauty, bred by James Scott.

He won a very strong Connemara colt foal class and went on to take the reserve foal championship. Later in the year, the same foal won the Horse Sport Ireland show jumping foal championship at Cavan.

Martin O'Sullivan and right-hand man Dermot ‘Laddy’ O’Mahony with Droumleap Hillside Shamrock (Hillside Joker) and his favourite broodmare Active Beauty, plus judge Eleanor Lyttle and Charleville Show’s Eleanor Fleming \ Susan Finnerty

3. Favourite broodmare?

I was very fond of Paddock Porcelain, a winner of the All-Ireland pony broodmare championship a few times and the Champion of Champions in Cavan. She also won numerous Welsh Pony and Cob Society (WCPS) medals.

However, I’d have to give it to my Connemara broodmare, Active Beauty, who is 15 years old this year and has given me some fantastic days in the showring herself, her progeny also being very successful. She owes me nothing.

4. Breeding for the Irish pony market – labour of love or profitable?

The returns come in swings and roundabouts; the market is always changing. Some years are better than others, but you get out what you put in.

5. Describe your spring regime for keeping broodmares/youngstock?

I’d bring the broodmare in at Christmastime and she is rugged up and fed twice a day, left out by day and brought in by night. Youngstock much the same.

I try to give them some nice spring grass in April time and try to get the winter coats off them as quick as possible! Ponies’ feet are pared four times a year and they get a worm dose before they’re left out to grass.

6. Do breeders get enough recognition?

I don’t think so. For the work and time they put in in the initial days, they’re not rewarded. If you look at any sales report, it’s always the exhibitor and owner on the day who is credited.

7. Droumleap is yours, thoughts on prefixes?

Yes, I do think they are important. They give breeders some bit of recognition as their bloodstock move through phases of life.

8. If you could have bred any horse/pony?

Templebready Fear Bui – I thought his scope, his size and his presence was wonderful. I took a part-bred Welsh mare to him one time and it was my first time seeing him in the flesh. I said to his owner Dan Brien: “He is an awful fine pony, with plenty of height and scope.”

The answer Dan made me was: “My father always said, whether it’s a bull or a boar you’re buying, always go for a bit of scope.”

9. It takes a team – whose on yours?

I have great support at home from my wife Ann, who is always on hand to feed if I am away. My daughter Jennie, who is always nearby to help with paperwork or to keep me on the straight and narrow!

My good friend Dermot O’Mahony, better known as Laddy, is great help to me, especially when I have a mare and foal out. He might not be the best on time, but he always shows! His daughter Ciara is my PA when it comes to the shows, keeping on top of my entries and helping with smooth running on the day.

John Paul O’Donovan and Nadine Harte have been key to my success for selling ponies. Their attention to detail, when it comes to sales and sale prep, is second to none.

10. Your viewpoint on overheight Connemaras?

I think overheight Connemaras are being thought of in a bit of a negative light. There is a market for everything and these are a good seller.

I see nothing wrong with the over-height Connemara. At the end of the day, it is a breeder’s own decision whether they want to breed to a 14.2hh or a 15.2hh.