WATERVALLEY Stud, near Ballymacward in east Galway, is run in conjunction with our dairy farm and where we stand our two Traditional Irish Horse stallions: Loughehoe Guy and Watervalley Cool Diamond.

I bred Watervalley Cool Diamond (Coolcorran Cool Diamond – Annagh Bay Beauty, by Glacier Mint xx) and he went on to jump with Joan Greene and Michael Whyte. We’re extremely proud of so many horses sired by both Loughehoe Guy and Watervalley Cool Diamond that are all doing very well in eventing, show jumping and showing.

We have 16 broodmares (including six Irish Sport Horse mares and two thoroughbreds in foal to these two stallions) and eight Connemara mares. We also stand four Connemara stallions, all with top show jumping pedigrees: Tullaree Tomahawk, Glencroft Go For Gold, Tullaree Chieftain and Tullaree Casanova.

1. Congratulations on Gortfadda Diamond’s successful year, including him being one of the top-ranked Irish Sport Horses in the World Breeding Federation for Sport Horses rankings. Tell us about breeding him.

I bought Gortfadda Diamond’s thoroughbred dam, Panda (Glacial Storm), in 2006 and she was a very successful broodmare. Watervalley Cool Diamond was the best match for Panda and Gortfadda Diamond was a real quality foal, he always moved extremely well.

I sold him as a foal and he was then sold as a three-year-old to Mark and Tanya Coyle in the UK who produced him until he was an eight-year-old. Emilie Chandler produced him up to five-star level eventing and they were picked for the British team for Aachen last month, when they were part of the gold medal team and won individual bronze. We are so delighted by her success in bringing Gortfadda Diamond up to that level in eventing.

2. Was breeding him your proudest moment as a breeder?

It is definitely one of my proudest moments. However, I am extremely proud of the fact that here at Watervalley Stud we’ve produced five-star event horses, Grand Prix show jumpers and top show horses. These include champions here in Ireland and the Royal Highland reserve supreme champion, owned by Sandra and Samantha Auld: Watervalley Bobbie’s Girl (Watervalley Cool Diamond – Superdolly VII xx, by Supreme Leader) and her second-placed filly foal by Loughehoe Guy.

I also bred Watervalley Royal Guy who won the NEXGEN four-year-old event horse final at Hickstead this year. And of course the latest win at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when Jill Day’s View Point, bred by Sean Jones and ridden by Robert Walker, won the show hunter and supreme horse of the year championships.

3. The late Alo Tynan bred Loughehoe Guy, View Point’s sire. Tell us about buying Loughehoe Guy and his progeny after his move to Watervalley Stud.

I bought Loughehoe Guy in 2003 as an 11-year-old. A lifelong friend, John Hanlon saw him advertised and told me about him.

We were excited because he is a full brother to Irish, who competed at the Barcelona Olympics, and Loughehoe Guy himself had jumped with the Irish Army; and the fact that they are 100% thoroughbred.

We realised after seeing him that he was everything we were looking for as a stallion with movement, conformation and temperament. After a short visit with the late Alo Tynan’s wife Bernadette and son Michael the deal was done. We got him vetted and transported him home to Watervalley Stud. Loughehoe Guy then went onto Paul Darragh’s yard where Michael Whyte jumped him up to Grade A level. And with the help of Susie and Marily from Suma Stud, we started to cover with him.

Our first foals arrived in 2004 and then they started winning in show classes. When they matured as three-year-olds they featured well in loose jumping and young event horse classes and now they are competing at high levels of eventing and show jumping at international level. He also produced show horses at top level and now at 29 years old, has sired View Point, the HOYS supreme horse champion.

4. Favourite broodmare?

My favourite mare is Watervalley Dawn Diamond, a half-sister to Watervalley Cool Diamond and she has bred many top event horses by Loughehoe Guy, namely SBT Good Guy, Watervalley Wizard, Watervalley Lough Diamond, Watervalley Misty Days and Watervalley Royal Guy.

5. It takes a team – who’s on yours?

My team are the best in the world. My partner Sinead is always on call to help and keeps a track on the visiting mares and foals and general running of the yard. Valerie Thorington has always been a very close friend and has guided and helped me over the years with her lifetime of experience of breeding horses. She has an in-depth knowledge of breeding and pedigree which she loves to share and discuss.

Gerry and Bronagh Murphy are always willing to lend a hand. We would like to welcome the new member to Watervalley Stud’s team: Duncan McFadyen from Scotland. Duncan will be producing youngsters and running our livery yard.

6. What do you think are the main challenges now facing farmer-breeders?

The main challenges for breeders are the costs and expenses involved in producing young horses.

7. Best advice you ever got?

I received the best advice from Valerie Thorington, which is to use a stallion that suits your mare and not just because he is fashionable.

8. What advice would you give a young breeder starting off?

My advice would be to choose your broodmare very carefully, always look for good conformation, excellent performance pedigree and match her to a stallion that complements the mare.

9. Sport horse breeding – would you do it all over again?

Yes, I would do it all over again. I love to see the new foals on the ground every year and love watching how they develop and mature.

10. What incentives would you like to see introduced?

There should be more funding available for young breeders who are going out purchasing fillies suitable for breeding with top pedigrees and also support breeders who are producing young horses, show jumping, showing or eventing.