IF there was one resounding message that breeders with a horse to sell took home from a highly informative Teagasc Equine evening hosted at Co Wicklow’s spectacular Cooley Farm, it was to “pick up the phone’’ to renowned young horse producers Richard and Georgina Sheane.

Selling approximately 100 horses a year – among them some of the world’s very best event horses – the couple hosted one of the frankest and no-holes barred Teagasc demonstrations events to date. The event was organised by Teagasc equine specialist Wendy Conlon, with Declan McArdle on video duty.

An estimated crowd of 150 people, of all ages and backgrounds, gathered at the Sheane’s stunning new facilities at their farm at Glenealy, Co Wicklow. The builders, led by agriculture contractor Niall Smyth, had only finished the work on a breathtaking new open-sided arena and adjoining light-filled stabling block with luxury tack room, three hours before the event kicked off last Thursday.

In a marathon effort by the entire ultra-professional team at Cooley Farm, everything flowed with clockwork precision throughout the demonstration which showcased three sets of horses in the new arena under riders Katie O’Sullivan and Beth Burton. This was followed by a display outdoors of a young event horse being expertly lunged by Richard over a variety of jumps against the stunning backdrop of the surrounding green Wicklow hills just as fading light drew a natural close to the event.

The horse search

Exhibiting young horses by Ramiro B, Ars Vivendi and Sligo Candy Boy, Richard explained that many of the horses at Cooley come from dams carrying up to 60-70% blood and they are keen supporters of the genetic identity of the Irish mare herd as much as possible.

“They (the top riders) are easy to deal with but you must have the horses that they want. Part of the job is finding the horse and a very important part for us is to have very good riders producing the horses. I don’t buy horses from videos so don’t send any. I go to see the horses. If I like them, I buy them. I need horses that I can sell on,” said Richard.

“My clients like to see thoroughbred blood in the horse, they need horses able to gallop for 10-12 minutes, that really want to go for the bigger cross-country tracks, but the horse also has to be able to move and jump. It must be light on its feet, light off the ground. It must be athletic, built uphill. Horses that meet the ground heavily or flat-footed don’t stay sound, particularly not in America where the ground is hard.

“The horses we buy have to be able to jump. Most horses we sell could be 1.40m jumpers. Horses must be like machines now. They must be able to move well, be athletes, able to do a job,” said Richard.

A good temperament is crucial as the horses must be trainable and rideable. “Owners want horses they can ride. Oli (Townend) is one of my best clients and for him, a bad temperament is a no-go.

“I’m not a conformation freak. There is a line you have to draw or you’ll never buy any horse. A horse with reasonable X-rays, no OCDs or cysts, small chips might be okay. I don’t mind small splints or curbs. My pet hate is horses that land heavy, they’ll never stay sound,” added Richard.

Time and expertise

Rider Katie O’Sullivan advised the audience to make sure to get the teeth of young horses done before breaking in case they have any dental issues. O’Sullivan said that when riding youngsters, she always aims for straightness; forward off the leg; soft in hand; understanding the aids and clear communication in every session.

Sheane urged people to give horses plenty of time when breaking and to do it right.

“I also buy a lot of horses loose jumping, it’s a great way for me to see them, I have no problem with going to see horses loose jumping. Horses have to be light on their feet, be forward, have scope and be careful. If they are not careful, that’s no good, they must be good in front and be careful,” said Richard.

Asked by a member of the audience were horses ever returned to them by buyers, Richard said: “Taking horses back is part of our job. Keep your customer. We aim to sell 100 horses a year and about five or six would come back to us.”

100 - the number of horses Cooley Farm aims to sell a year

€3,000 - the cost of their first horse - funded by selling Georgie’s car

€7,500 - the average yearly total of producing each horse

€12,000 - what it costs a week to keep the operation going

€50,000 - amount paid for a good horse by an American client recently

The new barn at Cooley Farm

Top horses

Land Rover Kentucky winner (2018 and 2019) Cooley Master Class (by Ramiro B out of The Swallow (ISH) by Master Imp (TB)), bred by Wicklow’s John Hagan, who attended and was applauded at last Thursday’s event, was first spotted at Cavan Equestrian by Galway’s Richard Bourns with Cathal McMunn in the saddle. Bourns mentioned the horse’s natural ability to Sheane who was quick to say he wanted first shout at the Ramiro B gelding whose ISH dam carried 88% TB blood.

“I bought him at Barnadown as a five-year-old the following spring. He qualified for Dublin, the Army wanted to buy him. I told Oli about him and he said he would come and look at him. Claire Lambert rode him for me and jumped him three times, Oli jumped him twice and bought him,” said Sheane.

Bred by Co Down’s William McCarrison, Cooley Rorkes Drift’s (by Courage II out of Doon-A-Ree Lass (ISH) by Rachelle Comet (TB)) four white socks and great temperament caught Richard’s eye. “He could have been a circus horse, he would stand on his head for you. He was not a great mover at first. I did not think he was great from the start. He was a lesson for me. Jonty did a great job, they suited each other,” said Sheane of the duo who placed ninth overall at Rio 2016.